ABSTRACT
The number of patients with COVID-19 has rapidly increased, thereby exceeding the capacities of health systems and causing serious losses in affected countries because of the rapid spreading potential, high virulence, and lack of vaccine and proven antiviral therapy. This may indicate the importance of protocol-based treatments in maintaining the treatment process accurately, with minimal errors. This study aimed to present the results of a protocol-based treatment prepared in accordance with the “Surviving Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 treatment guideline.”
This retrospective and prospective study used data of five hospitals. Intensive care and treatment approaches were carried out in accordance with the “COVID-19 approach protocol” prepared according to the “Surviving Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 treatment guideline.”
A total of 1143 patients admitted to five hospitals were hospitalized with a prediagnosis of COVID-19, and 115 patients needed intensive care. Among them, patients without COVID-19 were excluded and the remaining 77 patients were evaluated. In this study, 9 (11.7%) of the 77 patients were lost. While the mortality rate did not differ by sex (p=0.661), the mean age of deceased patients was significantly higher (p=0.006). Considering their comorbidities, the mortality rates of patients with hypertension, chronic renal failure, and cancer were significantly higher (p=0.034, p=0.014, and p=0.007, respectively).
The mortality rate in this series may suggest that the treatments performed in line with the “Survival in Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 treatment guideline” are useful. However, when the causes of mortality and morbidity were evaluated, good observation of neurological, infective, respiratory, and immune complications may be considered the main factor in reducing mortality and should be included in the guideline.
Keywords: COVID-19, ARDS, mechanical ventilation, prone position, sepsis, Turkey