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Isolation precautions cause minor delays in diagnostics and treatment of non-COVID patients.
Paajanen, J; Mäkinen, L K; Suikkila, A; Rehell, M; Javanainen, M; Lindahl, A; Kekäläinen, E; Kurkela, S; Halmesmäki, K; Anttila, V-J; Lamminmäki, S.
  • Paajanen J; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Mäkinen LK; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Suikkila A; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Rehell M; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Javanainen M; Meilahti University Hospital, Adnominal Center, HUS, Haartmaninkatu 4, Helsinki P.O. Box 340, FIN-00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Lindahl A; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Kekäläinen E; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Kurkela S; Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Finland.
  • Halmesmäki K; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Anttila VJ; Department of Vascular Surgery, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Lamminmäki S; Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammatory Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, 00029, Finland.
Infect Prev Pract ; 3(4): 100178, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1814594
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Isolation precautions are essential prevent spread of COVID-19 infection but may have a negative impact on inpatient care. The impact of these measures on non-COVID-19 patients remains largely unexplored.

AIM:

This study aimed to investigate diagnostic and treatment delays related to isolation precautions, the associated patient outcome, and the predisposing risk factors for delays.

METHODS:

This observational study was conducted in seven Helsinki region hospitals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. The study used data on all non-COVID-19 inpatients, who were initially isolated due to suspected COVID-19, to estimate whether isolation precautions resulted in diagnostic or treatment delays.

RESULTS:

Out of 683 non-COVID-19 patients, 33 (4.8%) had delays related to isolation precautions. Clinical condition deteriorated non-fatally in seven (1.0%) patients. The following events were associated with an increased risk of treatment or a diagnostic delay more than three ward transfers (P = 0.025); referral to an incorrect speciality in the emergency department (P = 0.004); more than three SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests performed (P = 0.022); and where cancer was the final diagnosis (P = 0.018). In contrast, lower respiratory tract symptoms (P = 0.013) decreased the risk.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of isolation precautions for patients who did not have COVID-19 had minor negative effects on patient outcomes. The present study underlines the importance of targeting diagnostic efforts to patients with unspecified symptoms and to those with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Thorough investigations to achieve an accurate diagnosis improves the prognosis of patients and facilitates appropriate targeting of hospital resources.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Infect Prev Pract Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.infpip.2021.100178

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Infect Prev Pract Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.infpip.2021.100178