Models of hospital care during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: results from a survey of physicians

Abstract

During COVID-19 pandemic, COVID Hospitals were created throughout Italy and several different models of care for COVID-19 patients were implemented. Methods. We conducted a survey on physicians dedicated to the care of COVID-19 patients with the aim of describing specific models of hospital care that were implemented during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. The survey included seven questions with an estimated response time of approximately 5 minutes. The questionnaire went through a face validation process and pilot testing. The final version of the questionnaire was disseminated through a national limited social platform for physicians involved in the care of COVID-19 patients.Results. In the time period between May 1st, 2020 and July 1st, 2020, 350 physicians from all over the Country participated to the survey. In most cases, old departments were transformed to COVID units, and new units dedicated to COVID-19 patients were created. A multidisciplinary team of specialists was available in half of the models of care described. The geriatrician was always part of the mulridisciplinary team. Over one third of the multidisciplinary teams for the care of COVID-19 patients also included infectious diseases specialists and pulmonologists. Conclusions. According to findings from our survey, co-management of care and multidisciplinary models were available for half of COVID-19 patients during the first wave of pandemic. Such models may offer significant advantages in terms of favourable outcomes and mortality, especially in complex older adults.