Discharge Disposition and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Objective By better understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 and assessing rehabilitation placement among the patients in our study, we hope to determine the predictors of rehabilitation needs in individuals suffering from the long-term sequelae of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of adult patients with positive COVID-19 PCR test among multiple hospitals in a regional health system. Main outcomes measured were discharge disposition, total length of hospital stay, and overall all-cause mortality and readmission rates within 30- and 90-days of discharge. Results Of the 2,502 patients included in the study, we found that 65.2% were discharged to home, while the remaining patients were discharged to home healthcare (33.6%), skilled nursing facilities (31.7%), or long-term acute rehabilitation centers (11.6%). The overall all-cause mortality rate at 30- and 90-days were 2.7% and 4.4%, respectively. The overall all-cause 30- and 90-day readmission rates were 7.0% and 7.6%, respectively. Conclusion Younger age and shorter hospitalization stay were the most important predictors of home discharge. Discharge to home was also significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality rates at 30- and 90-days post-discharge.