(Natural News) Patients who contract the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) are usually sent to hospitals to receive medical treatment. However, a new study has found that almost half of COVID-19 patients leave hospitals in worse condition than when they entered. To make things worse, they also found that one in five COVID-19 patients may no longer be able to live independently.
Michigan Medicine researchers looked at the health data of nearly 300 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and April 2020. Information analyzed by the researchers included discharge data, therapy needs for each patient and any requirements for special medical equipment or services after leaving the hospital.
The research team published their study on April 30 of this year in PM&R. According to their findings, 45 percent of patients who survived COVID-19 experienced functional decline affecting their discharge. Of that 45 percent, 26.7 percent experienced difficulty swallowing at the time of their discharge.
The team also found that nearly 20 percent of COVID-19 survivors were discharged to a different location other than their home – such as an assisted living facility. Almost 68 percent of patients who recovered needed durable medical equipment. Furthermore, 80.6 percent of people who recovered from COVID-19 were referred for additional therapy at discharge.
Lead study author Dr. Alecia Daunter said: “Rehabilitation needs were … really common for these patients. They survived, but … left the hospital in worse physical condition than they started. If they needed outpatient therapy or are now walking with a cane, something happened that impacted their discharge plan.”
Author: Ramon Tomey
