The death rate or re-hospitalization in the 60 days that follows hospital discharge due to coronavirus exceeds 21% among patients that were admitted in the early months of the pandemic according to a new study.

This study was conducted by a team of US-based investigators and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It indicates the need for guidance and policies related to post-hospitalization care and monitoring for severely affected COVID-19 patients.

The study was led by Vineet Chopra, MD, MSc, of the University of Michigan Health System and The Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety Collaborative. The researchers worked on a description of 60-day clinical, financial and mental health outcomes of patients previously discharged from emergent COVID-19 care.

The investigating team studied patient medical record data at 60 days post-discharge to seek clinical events, which included readmission and death.

Chopra with his colleagues observed 1648 patients admitted to 38 hospitals in the set time period.

24.2% patients died during hospitalization and 75.8% survived. Patients with chronic health issues including hypertension (64%), diabetes (34.9%) and cardiovascular disease (24.1%) were in high rates among hospitalized patients.

78% out of surviving patients returned home and 12.6% were discharged to a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility for care.

60 days post-discharge, another 84 patients had died. Investigators adjusted the overall COVID-19 mortality rate for patients who were hospitalized to 29.2% and for patients being treated in the ICU to 63.5%.

15.1% of hospital-discharged COVID-19 patients had to be re-hospitalized within 60 days.

Cardiopulmonary symptoms were noted among 159 patients. New or worsening difficulties completing daily activities were noted in 58 patients.

Emotional health of 238 (48.7%) contacted patients were affected. 28 reached out for mental health care post their discharge. Mild financial impact was present in 36.7% of patients.

This study confirms that the impact of COVID-19 extends beyond hospitalization. It is a finding similar to long-term sequelae from sepsis and other serious respiratory viral illnesses. They suggest, better models to support COVID-19 survivors is vital.