Patient characteristics and admitting vital signs associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mortality among patients admitted with noncritical illness

Abstract

Objective: To determine risk factors for mortality among COVID-19 patients admitted to a system of community hospitals in the United States. Design: Retrospective analysis of patient data collected from the routine care of COVID-19 patients. Setting: System of >180 acute-care facilities in the United States. Participants: All admitted patients with positive identification of COVID-19 and a documented discharge as of May 12, 2020. Methods: Determination of demographic characteristics, vital signs at admission, patient comorbidities and recorded discharge disposition in this population to construct a logistic regression estimating the odds of mortality, particular for those patients characterized as not being critically ill at admission. Results: In total, 6,180 COVID-19+ patients were identified as of May 12, 2020. Most COVID-19+ patients (4,808, 77.8%) were admitted directly to a medical-surgical unit with no documented critical care or mechanical ventilation within 8 hours of admission. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and vital signs at admission in this subgroup, the largest driver of the odds of mortality was patient age (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.08; P