Unprecedented heat-related deaths during the 2003 heat wave in Paris: consequences on emergency departments

Abstract

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.

Figure 1

Maximal temperature in the Paris area, excess emergency department visits (grey bars), and hospital admissions (white bars) in the Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, 1–30 August 2003.