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Published on: September 24, 2020
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An Australian COVID-19 respiratory care unit experience
Emily Ward-Ambler1, Peter Wallbridge1, Kasha Singh2,3
1Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Internal Medicine Journal
|May 15, 2023
Summary
A dedicated COVID-19 Respiratory Care Unit (CRCU) proved feasible in an Australian hospital. The study identified key predictors of mortality in admitted patients, including age and comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with varied severity.
- Respiratory Care Units (RCUs) are effective for delivering non-invasive ventilation to COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patient demographics, flow, and outcomes in the Royal Melbourne Hospital's COVID-19 RCU (CRCU).
- To evaluate the feasibility of operating a CRCU in an Australian tertiary healthcare setting.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to the CRCU between September 17 and December 10, 2021.
- Analysis included patient demographics, comorbidities, admission source, discharge destination, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.
Main Results:
- 111 admissions involving 97 patients were analyzed; median age was 65 years.
- In-hospital mortality was 21% (20 deaths).
- Age, 4C score, comorbidities, and obstructive lung disease predicted mortality (AUC 0.85, P < 0.001). Mortality was higher in patients over 65 and those not intended for intubation.
Conclusions:
- Operating a CRCU within an Australian tertiary healthcare setting is feasible.
- Identifying mortality predictors aids in managing COVID-19 patients within specialized units.
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