Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Home Mechanical Ventilation in Germany: A Descriptive Observational Study

Over the last decade, the number of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) has increased significantly, which has led to a limited availability of specialist centres, not least due to the scarcity of healthcare professionals. This situation was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore assumed that the repurposing of resources has led to an aggravated change in the healthcare structure in HMV.

This descriptive observational study analysed the Operation and Procedure Classification Codes for patients receiving HMV from 2008 to 2022. The data were provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. Data were additionally analysed with respect to geographical distribution and ventilation status.

A total of 737,770 datasets were analysed (mean age in 2020: 66.5 years). There was a steady increase in HMV initiations (+6%) and controls (+9%) per year before the pandemic (2008-2019). Patient admissions during the pandemic revealed a 28% decrease, with the largest decrease in invasive ventilation (IV) follow-up visits (2019: 3,053; 2020: 2,199; -39%), while the number of IV initiations remained stable. There was a 19% decrease in the number of non-IV initiations in 2020 (16,919 vs. 14,227) and a 32% decrease in the number of follow-ups (45,812 vs. 34,813) in comparison with 2019.

The pandemic has led to a significant decline of inpatient admissions for patients receiving HMV. This decline was most pronounced in the first year of the pandemic. Control visits in particular did not reach the pre-pandemic level. This is an indication of the ongoing change in the healthcare landscape as a result of the pandemic.