Transition and continuity of care after hospital discharge for COVID-19 survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess care transition quality and compare it with the clinical characteristics and continuity of care after hospital discharge of COVID-19 survivors. METHOD: This is a descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study, carried out with 300 patients with COVID-19 who were discharged from a hospital in southern Brazil. The Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15) and question guide about symptoms, difficulties and use of health services after discharge were used. Student's t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used. RESULTS: The mean score for care transition quality was 74.2 (±18.2). Factors associated with higher quality were receiving care in intensive care (p = 0.001), using non-invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.05), using vasopressors (p = 0.027) and having an appointment at the hospital after discharge (p = 0.014). Positive correlated factors were length of stay (p = 0.017), and negative factors were post-discharge symptoms of fatigue (p = 0.001), weakness (p = 0.008), difficulty doing moderate activities (p = 0.003) and how difficult recovery is (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Most participants had a satisfactory perception of care transition. However, aspects such as care plans, referrals and follow-up after hospital discharge require improvements.

Transition and continuity of care after hospital discharge for COVID-19 survivors / Transición y continuidad de la atención tras el alta hospitalaria para supervivientes de COVID-19 / Transição e continuidade do cuidado após alta hospitalar de sobreviventes da COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess care transition quality and compare it with the clinical characteristics and continuity of care after hospital discharge of COVID-19 survivors. Method: This is a descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study, carried out with 300 patients with COVID-19 who were discharged from a hospital in southern Brazil. The Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15) and question guide about symptoms, difficulties and use of health services after discharge were used. Student's t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used. Results: The mean score for care transition quality was 74.2 (±18.2). Factors associated with higher quality were receiving care in intensive care (p = 0.001), using non-invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.05), using vasopressors (p = 0.027) and having an appointment at the hospital after discharge (p = 0.014). Positive correlated factors were length of stay (p = 0.017), and negative factors were post-discharge symptoms of fatigue (p = 0.001), weakness (p = 0.008), difficulty doing moderate activities (p = 0.003) and how difficult recovery is (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Most participants had a satisfactory perception of care transition. However, aspects such as care plans, referrals and follow-up after hospital discharge require improvements.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la transición asistencial y compararla con las características clínicas y de continuidad de la atención post alta hospitalaria para sobrevivientes de COVID-19. Método: Estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal, realizado con 300 pacientes con COVID-19 que fueron dados de alta de un hospital del sur de Brasil. Se utilizó el Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15) y un guión de preguntas sobre síntomas, dificultades y uso de los servicios de salud post alta. Se utilizaron pruebas t de Student, correlación de Pearson y Spearman. Resultados: El puntaje promedio para la transición de la calidad de la atención fue 74,2 (±18,2). Los factores asociados con mayor calidad fueron recibir atención en cuidados intensivos (p = 0,001), utilizar ventilación mecánica no invasiva (p = 0,05), utilizar vasopresores (p = 0,027) y visitar el hospital después del alta (p = 0,014). Los factores correlacionados positivamente fueron el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (p = 0,017), y los negativos, síntomas de fatiga después del alta (p = 0,001), debilidad (p = 0,008), dificultad para realizar actividades moderadas (p = 0,003) y la dificultad de la recuperación (p = 0,003). Conclusión: La mayoría de los participantes tuvo una percepción satisfactoria sobre la transición del cuidado. Sin embargo, aspectos como el plan de cuidados, las derivaciones y el seguimiento post alta hospitalaria requieren mejoras.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da transição do cuidado e compará-la com as características clínicas e de continuidade do cuidado pós-alta hospitalar de sobreviventes de COVID-19. Método: Estudo descritivo, observacional e transversal, realizado com 300 pacientes com COVID-19 que tiveram alta de hospital do sul do Brasil. Utilizaram-se o Care Transitions Measure (CTM-15) e um roteiro de perguntas sobre sintomas, dificuldades e uso de serviços de saúde pós-alta. Utilizaram-se os testes t de Student, correlação de Pearson e Spearman. Resultados: O escore médio para a qualidade da transição do cuidado foi de 74,2 (±18,2). Fatores associados à maior qualidade foram ter atendimento em terapia intensiva (p = 0,001), usar ventilação mecânica não invasiva (p = 0,05), usar vasopressores (p = 0,027) e consultar no hospital após alta (p = 0,014). Fatores correlacionados positivos foram tempo de permanência (p = 0,017), e negativos, sintomas pós-alta de fadiga (p = 0,001), fraqueza (p = 0,008), dificuldade para fazer atividades moderadas (p = 0,003) e quão difícil é a recuperação (p = 0,003). Conclusão: A maioria dos participantes teve percepção satisfatória da transição do cuidado. Entretanto, aspectos como plano de cuidado, encaminhamentos e acompanhamento pós-alta hospitalar necessitam de melhorias.