An Australian COVID-19 Respiratory Care Unit Experience.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 with a heterogenous presenting ranging from severe pneumonitis to asymptomatic infection. International studies have demonstrated the utility of Respiratory Care Units (RCUs) to facilitate the delivery of non-invasive ventilation techniques to patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis.

AIMS: This study aims to describe the patient characteristics, flow and outcomes of admissions to the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) COVID-19 Respiratory Care Unit (CRCU) during its initial period of operation.

METHODS: Single-centre retrospective cohort study. All patients admitted to CRCU between 17 September and 10 December 2021 were included in this study. Patient demographics including comorbidities and limitations of medical treatment were analysed. Admission source and discharge destination were reviewed. Length of stay was recorded. Finally, in-hospital and CRCU mortality were analysed.

RESULTS: 97 patients, comprising 111 admissions occurred during study period with median age 65 years (48% female). Most patients were admitted from and discharged to the ward. 20 patients died in hospital (21%), with age, 4C score, co-morbidity and presence of obstructive lung disease predicting mortality (AUC 0.85, p<0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those over 65 years of age compared to under 65 (p <0.001), or those deemed not for intubation compared to those for intubation (p = 0.0019).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of operating a CRCU within an Australia tertiary healthcare setting. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.