ENT Service during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in 572
patients.
Abstract
Objective: To provide objective data on the impact of COVID-19 crisis on
our ENT practice. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary
referral hospital (1038 inpatients beds). Participants: 572 consecutive
patients presenting to the ENT clinic and ENT operating theatre from
March 16, 2020 to May 3, 2020 were prospectively included. Main outcome
measures: Demographic and clinical data, admission time, paraclinic
testing, management, outcome and follow’up were recorded. Retrospective
search for comparison to past year over the same period of time was
carried out. Results: Coronavirus crisis and the strict lockdown rules
led to a severe disruption of the ENT service. A drop in overall
activity of 91.1% was observed. Mortality rates increased from 0.82%
to 4.55%. While some patients in real need may not have been able to be
seen, others presented without ground. More than a quarter of admissions
(n=157, 27.6%) resulted in no specific ENT treatment. Patient selection
improved when patients had a recent ENT history (OR=2.39
[1.50-3.81], p=0.0003) or were referred by a physician (OR=5.30
[3.69-7.61], p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our data suggested
impaired healthcare of all ENT patients. Special attention should be
paid to non-Covid otolaryngology patients.