Acute, non-COVID related medical admissions during the first wave of COVID-19: A retrospective comparison of changing patterns of disease

Abstract

COVID-19 may have altered the case-mix of non-COVID acute medical admissions. Retrospective analysis of acute medical admissions to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, showed that medical admissions decreased in April 2020 compared to April 2019. The proportion of young adults, non-cardiac chest pain, musculoskeletal conditions and self-discharges decreased. The proportion of admissions due to alcohol misuse, psychiatric conditions, overdoses and falls increased. There were a higher number of patients admitted to ICU and greater inpatient mortality but not once COVID diagnoses were excluded. There was a significant change in hospitalised case-mix with conditions potentially reflecting social isolation increasing and diagnoses which rarely require hospital treatment, reducing. This analysis will help inform service planning.