Epidemiology, Infection Prevention, Testing Data, and Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 on Five Inpatient Psychiatric Units in a large Academic Medical Center. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Luming; Roberts, Scott C.; Kulp, William; Wing, Angelina; Barnes, Todd; Colandrea, Nicole; Klink, Beth; Fortunati, Frank; Martinello, Richard
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 298(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: infection prevention -- COVID-19 -- inpatient psychiatry -- observational study; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113776
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: Special precautions must be taken to protect psychiatry patients who receive inpatient care during a pandemic, since inpatient facilities can lead to significant transmission of COVID-19 Numerous quality and safety interventions should be utilized to deliver care for psychiatric patients to minimize exposure and contain COVID-19 This study describes epidemiology, testing, and protocols to used minimize COVID-19 transmission on five academic psychiatry units across age groups and diagnoses Abstract: Inpatient psychiatric facilities can face significant challenges in containing infectious outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective of this study was to characterize the epidemiology, testing data, and containment protocols of COVID-19 in a large academic medical center during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on hospitalized individuals on five inpatient psychiatric units from March 1 st to July 8 th, 2020. Demographic data collected include age, race, gender, ethnicity, diagnosis, and admission status (one or multiple admissions). In addition, a Gantt chart was used to assess outbreak data and timelines for one unit. Testing data was collected for patients admitted to inpatient psychiatric units, emergency room visits, and employees. 964 individuals were hospitalized psychiatrically. The study population included ethnically diverse patients with various mental illnesses. We also describe infection prevention strategies, screening, and triage protocols utilized to safely continue patient flow during and beyond the study period with a low patient and employee infection rate. In summary, our study suggests that early implementation of triage, screening, extensive testing, and unit-specific interventions can help prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 in inpatient psychiatric units and help facilitate safe delivery of care during a pandemic.