Hospitalizations for Chronic Disease and Acute Conditions in the Time of COVID-19

Retrospective study of admissions to 4 hospitals in NYU Langone Health system found hospitalisation rates decreased during peak COVID-19 period suggesting either sick patients aren’t obtaining necessary hospital care or prior overuse of hospitalisation or improved self-management

SPS commentary:

This is one of two articles in JAMA Internal Medicine that shed light on another cost of the COVID-19 pandemic; deferral of care for serious non–COVID-19 conditions, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Study in in 2 Medical Centres in New York and California identified significant drops in the daily caseload of 4 common medical emergencies (acute MI, ischaemic stroke, nontraumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis) following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An editorial suggests it is possible that certain types of care can be forgone without harm; and it could be that in some cases, patients may have been receiving unnecessary care. It discusses what could drive patients to defer essential care and what can be done about it.

JAMA Internal Medicine

Resource links:

Editorial

Study (New York and California)