Patient Outcomes and Lessons-Learned from Treating Patients with Severe COVID-19 at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo describe characteristics, clinical management, and patient outcomes during and after acute COVID-19 phase in a long-term acute care hospital in the Northeastern United States. MethodsA single-center retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of patients treated for COVID-19-related impairments, from March 19, 2020 through August 14, 2020, was conducted to evaluate patient outcomes in response to the facilitys holistic treatment approach. Results118 admissions were discharged by the data cut-off. Mean patient age was 63 years, 64.1% were male, and 29.9% of patients tested-positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection at admission. The mean (SD) length-of-stay at was 25.5 (13.0) days and there was a positive correlation between patient age and length-of-stay. Of the 51 patients non-ambulatory at admission, 83.3% were ambulatory at discharge. Gait increased 217.4 feet from admission to discharge, a greater increase than the reference cohort of 146.3 feet. 93.8% (15/16) of patients mechanically ventilated at admission were weaned before discharge (mean 11.3 days). 74.7% (56/75) of patients admitted with a restricted diet were discharged on a regular diet. ConclusionThe majority of patients treated at a long-term acute care hospital for severe COVID-19 and related complications improved significantly through coordinated care and rehabilitation.