Evaluation of Patient Characteristics and Pandemic Management in the First Three Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic at the

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the hospitalization process of suspect COVID-19 patients in Samsun Training and Research Hospital, to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the patients, the treatment process, and the success of the treatment. Material and Methods: The data from 284 suspected COVID-19 patients who were admitted to COVID-19 clinic at Samsun Training and Research Hospital between 18 March 2020 and 29 May 2020 were analyzed. Results: 284 suspect COVID-19 patients were evaluated. The age range of the patients was 18-95 and the mean age was 53. Average hospitalization days were 7.14. A definite diagnosis of COVID-19 was made in 33 patients (11.6%) due to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity. Although the RT-PCR test of 35 patients was negative, these patients were evaluated as COVID-19 with high clinical probability because of the ground glass opacities in harmony with COVID-19 in CT (Computed Tomography). There were no radiological findings in 10 of our RT-PCR positive patients. The patients mostly presented with complaints of cough and fever. 68 (23.9%) of 284 patients we followed were evaluated as COVID-19. Conclusion: The number of unnecessary hospitalizations was high due to the fact that clinical complaints were the main criteria for admission to the hospital. Yet, no CT finding was observed in about 1/3 of the RT-PCR positive patients. Clinical and radiological improvement was achieved in most of the patients using the treatments in hand.