OBJECTIVES: The objective of this research is to characterize the hospital experience of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the real-world setting.

METHODS: Adult patients from a large medical institution in the OMNY Health System Database with an ICD-10 code for COVID-19 were included and indexed at first diagnosis in 2020. Patients were characterized at index diagnosis, and frequencies of admission type, discharge disposition, physician taxonomy, and hospital department were tabulated at index encounter. Descriptive statistics were generated for length of stay (LOS), gross charge, and mortality. Indications for key therapies and procedures at index were described, and post-index patient journeys were characterized.

RESULTS: A total of 2688 patients were included (56% female, 65% white, and 26% ages 70 and older). Emergency (44%) and inpatient (42%) admissions were the most frequent at index diagnosis. Attending provider taxonomies were most commonly emergency medicine (31%), internal medicine (30%), and family medicine (17%). Emergency department (45%) and medical surgical unit (18%) were the most common discharge departments, and intensive care unit discharge accounted for 4% of patients. Regardless of discharge disposition, mortality any time after diagnosis was 9.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.4%-10.6%). Mean (quartile 1; median; quartile 3) LOS was 3.5 days (0; 1; 5) and mean gross charge was $28,661 ($2,034; $6,422; $30,674). Remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine were prescribed in 18% and 1% of patients, respectively. Readmission with COVID-19 at a distinct post-index encounter was 11.7% (95% CI: 10.5%-12.9%). LOS (< 3 days vs. ≥ 3 days) was associated with greater ventilator use (21% vs. 3%).

CONCLUSIONS: These results help provide insights into the real-world experience in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the pandemic. Additional analyses after widespread vaccination and standardization of care would be insightful to characterize the post-pandemic COVID-19 patient experience.