The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Perspectives

Postdischarge Evaluation for Individuals Hospitalized with COVID-19

Authors: Gail Berkenblit, MD, PhD, Kaelin O’Connell, MD, Sara Mixter, MD, MPH, Caitlin Dowd-Green, PharmD, Rosalyn W. Stewart, MD, MS

Abstract

Primary care providers (PCPs) now face a novel clinical scenario: postdischarge care for patients with COVID-19. In a study of 138 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, discharged patients had an average hospital stay of 10 days, with courses that were complicated by ARDS, venous thromboembolism (VTE), arrhythmias, and shock.1 The World Health Organization estimates an overall recovery time from COVID-19 of 2 weeks for mild infections and 3 to 6 weeks for severe disease.2 Thus, many discharged patients will need continuing management of pulmonary conditions, surveillance for secondary infections, monitoring for cardiac complications, and screening for depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the outpatient setting. Clinicians also must address ending home isolation and safe timelines for returning to work. Here, we discuss special considerations in caring for patients with COVID-19 following hospital discharge.
Posted in: Infectious Disease150

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