Clinical profile of COVID-19 patients and their length of stay: Tertiary care hospital experience

BACKGROUND: SARSCoV-2, a coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is spreading rapidly. By the middle of August-2021, it has affected over 3 million confirmed cases in India. The main aim of this study was to examine the clinical profile of COVID-19 patients and their length of stay during treatment in a hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a hospital-based retrospective study conducted by using a total enumeration technique in July–August 2021 at Nehru Hospital, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in India. The present study was conducted on 72 COVID-19 patients who took treatment in 4C and 5C wards. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which included bio-demographic factors and questions about their treatment and length of stay. RESULTS: The majority of the 72 COVID-19 positive patients were men (62%), belonged to the age group of 41–60 years (35%), had SpO(2) levels ranging from 91%–95% (45%), and received room air O(2) therapy (63%) during their treatment in the hospital. Female patients had a longer length of stay (7.33 days), patients under the age of 20 years had the longest hospital stay (11.5 days), patients with SpO(2) less than 70% had the longest hospital stay (8 days), and patients who received oxygen using a non-rebreathing mask had the longest hospital stay (11 days). CONCLUSION: To avoid panic situations, regular admission and discharge of patients was essential due to the considerable increase in cases during the second wave. Patient length of stay was reduced as a consequence of collaboration and cooperation among all physicians, residents, staff nurses, and paramedics, with the goal of discharging the patient after a room air trial and follow up if needed.