Unprecedented heat-related deaths during the 2003 heat wave in Paris: consequences on emergency departments
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* Corresponding author: Jean-François Dhainaut dhainaut@cochin.univ-paris5.fr
1 Professor, Emergency and Intensive Care Department, Cochin Port-Royal University Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris 5, France
2 Junior Consultant, Emergency and Intensive Care Department, Cochin Port-Royal University Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris 5, France
3 Senior Consultant, Emergency and Intensive Care Department, Cochin Port-Royal University Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris 5, France
4 Professor, Emergency Department, Pitié-Salpétrière University Hospital, AP-HP, University of Paris 6, France
Critical Care 2004, 8:1-2 doi:10.1186/cc2404
Published: 4 December 2003Abstract
In August 2003, France sustained an unprecedented heat wave that resulted in 14,800 excess deaths. The consequences were maximal in the Paris area. The Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris reported more than 2600 excess emergency department visits, 1900 excess hospital admissions, and 475 excess deaths despite a rapid organization. Indeed, simple preventice measures before hospital admissions are only able to reduce mortality which mostly occurred at home and in nursing homes.