Clinical and Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Vascular Surgery at a Tertiary University "Hub" Hospital of Italy.

BACKGROUND: Since the first cases of a novel respiratory disease were reported in December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Emergency State (Cov-ES) caused a worldwide outbreak requiring a complete reorganization of the healthcare system and new management of its personnel; aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and financial impact of Cov-ES in the Department of Vascular Surgery at a Tertiary University "Hub" Hospital in northeast Italy. METHODS: Differences in clinical practice according to Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Related Health Problems and the financial impact of Cov-ES were considered. Vascular procedures performed between March 2019 and December 2019 (Prepandemic) were compared to those performed in the period March-December 2020 (Pandemic). Prepandemic and pandemic reimbursements of all vascular activities and the top 3 vascular diagnoses were evaluated. RESULTS: Prepandemic versus pandemic era documented a decrease of vascular consultations performed (2,882 vs. 2,270, -21.2%). The number of total vascular procedures decreased from 997 to 797 (-20.1%) with a higher reduction observed in outpatient surgical activities (247 to 136, -45.0%, P = 0.0005) rather than inpatient surgical activities (750 vs. 661, 11.9%, P = 0.02). Length of hospital stay (LOS) increased from 3.3 ± 2.7 days in prepandemic to 5.3 ± 3.9 in the pandemic era (P = 0.004). Among patients with limb-threatening ischemia, the rate of major limb amputation was higher in the pandemic (3.3% vs. 5.4%, respectively, P = 0.02), and a higher rate of elective hospitalization procedures was performed as urgent/emerging setting after clinical deterioration (2.8 % vs. 6.4%, P = 0.0002). According to DRG classification, an increase of "complicated" limb-threatening ischemia (DRG 554) and aortic aneurysm (DRG 110) was observed prepandemic to pandemic (+84.2% and +25.0%, respectively). Total reimbursement for vascular activities between pandemic versus prepandemic was 4,646,108€ vs. 5,054,398€, respectively (-8.0%). Management of "complicated" limb-threatening ischemia (DRG 554) and aortic aneurysm (DRG 110) required a higher clinical and financial support that was translated into higher economic reimbursement during the pandemic (273,035€ vs. 150,005€, +82.0% and 749,250€ vs. 603,680€, +24.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, the main resources were employed for the treatment of limb-threatening ischemia, aortic aneurysm, and carotid stenosis. Inpatient activities documented an increase in major limb amputation and LOS. An increased reimbursement for each vascular procedure and for all "complicated" diagnoses revealed that the more serious and resource-demanding pathology occurred in this period.

"Should I stay or Should I go": patient who leave Emergency Department of an Italian Third-Level Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients could leave ED not receiving the desired care either Without Being Seen by a doctor (LWBS) or Against Medical Advice (DAMA). In term of care quality, LWBS may be related to inappropriate access and process of care, while DAMA may lead to increased risk of mortality and re-admissions. This study aims to identify frequency of patients who leave ED, determine their characteristics and identify associated factor. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients that attended EDs of University Hospital Trust of Verona in 2017. Demographic and ED access associated variables were collected for LWBS, DAMA and completed-ED-treatment patients. Univariate and multivariate data analyses was based on EMUR-PS administrative data. RESULTS: 5,901 of 127,180 ED accesses were uncompleted treatment (4.64%); LWBS were 4,664 (79.04%) and DAMA 1,237 (20.96%). Those who leave ED tended to be younger (39.35 vs. 45.56, p<0.01). Independent factors associated with ED leaving resulted: i) non-urgent triage category (OR: 2.941, 95%CI: 2.405-3.596) ii) non-Italian-nationality (OR: 1.695, 95%CI: 1.493-1.924) and requiring psychiatric consult (OR:6.16 95%IC 4.82-7.87); while protective factors resulted: i) female gender (OR: 0.713, 95%CI: 0.633-0.803); i) Paediatric ED (OR: 0.593, 95%CI: 0.437-0.805); ii) Obstetrics-Gynaecology ED (OR: 0.284, 95%CI: 0.193-0.416) iii) inclusion in fast track pathways (OR: 0.747, 95%CI: 0.602-0.927). Higher ED leaving rate were observed during night-time and Sunday, either overcrowding resulted not associated. CONCLUSION: Results show the necessity to implement primary care-ED integrated pathway, mainly in frail sub-population, improve awareness on healthcare service use and refine communication skills in ED-team.