Wildfire smoke strafes Midwest, Northeast

 Health systems in some of the areas hardest hit by wildfire smoke are reporting varied effects on emergency department volumes: A few have seen a modest uptick in patients with respiratory symptoms, while others said an anticipated surge has yet to materialize, leaders told Becker’s on July 16.

Here are six things healthcare leaders should know:

1. Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit ranked among the world’s three worst cities for air quality as of 4 p.m. Central time July 16, according to IQAir’s live ranking, as smoke from approximately 135 active wildfires in northwestern Ontario in Canada pushed south. Fifteen rural Ontario communities have evacuated as a result of the fires, The New York Times reported. 

2. Air quality is considered hazardous once its index — which measures the density of five pollutants — passes 300; Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit crossed that threshold at least once July 16. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City also saw unhealthy air, prompting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to urge residents to limit time outdoors. Chicago and several Detroit suburbs closed public parks and pools, respectively, on July 16.

3. At Corewell Health Beaumont Troy (Mich.) Hospital, David Donaldson, DO, chief of the emergency center, said the hospital has seen an uptick in patients with respiratory complaints, particularly those with underlying lung disease such as asthma and COPD. 

4. Detroit-based Henry Ford Health is seeing a similar pattern: Providers across Southeast and South-Central Michigan are treating patients with symptoms that can be linked to poor air quality, including shortness of breath, headaches, burning eyes and scratchy throat, a spokesperson said. Cleveland Clinic also reported a slight increase in patients seeking care for breathing issues July 16, a spokesperson said. 

5. Grand Blanc, Mich.-based McLaren Health Care has treated patients whose chronic respiratory conditions flared beyond what home treatment could manage, but it has not seen an influx of smoke-related cases, said Crystal Arthur, MD, chief medical director of emergency medicine. She attributed that in part to public compliance with air quality warnings. 

“To a notable extent, communities appear to be following the alerts and taking the proper precautions,” Dr. Arthur said, citing reduced outdoor activity and closed windows as likely factors.

6. Traverse City, Mich.-based Munson Healthcare is monitoring trends but has not seen an increase in visits for respiratory and cardiovascular complaints, Chief Medical, Quality and Safety Officer Joe Santangelo, MD, told Becker’s.

“However, last summer we saw more patients for these complaints, but there was a little bit of a delay, so we are on standby and ready to support any increased patient care needs,” Dr. Santangelo said.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/public-health/wildfire-smoke-strafes-midwest-northeast-6-things-healthcare-leaders-should-know/