POS-952 COVID-19 and impact on patients and staff in Tanker Foundation

Abstract

In terms of morbidity and mortality, the SARS COVID-19 infection had a tremendous impact on Indian healthcare. The illness has resulted in a high number of hospitalizations with well documented renal consequences. Moreover, because of this illness, patients with pre-existing conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, are more likely to have negative results. Here we present the results of COVID-19-positive, end-stage renal disease patients and the consequences of the pandemic on staff services in a charity-run haemodialysis centre. This observational study was conducted at Tanker Foundation. All patients undergoing dialysis (126) + the employees working at the haemodialysis units (107) were included in the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM, New York). One hundred twenty-six patients received dialysis regularly in charity-run centres during the research period, and all of them tested positive at some point. 19 (17.7%) of the 107 employees tested positive for the virus. A total of 3 patients tested positive despite receiving both doses of vaccination. The mean age was 50.46 years, and most of them were men (78.5%). The most common co-morbidity was hypertension (95.2%), followed by diabetes (28.5%). Before being tested positive, patients had been on dialysis for an average of 49.6 months. Most of the patients were hospitalized (99.2%) after being diagnosed with Covid-19. The mean duration of hospitalization was 9.72 days. Of 126 patients on haemodialysis who tested positive for Covid-19, 31 (24.6%) patients expired. Compared to those who survived the illness, the Covid-19 positive patients who died were older (56.64 ± 13.15) vs 48.45 ± 11.5, p – 0.001) and had shorter dialysis vintage (mean 37.67 vs 54 days, p – 0.05). In conclusion, our investigation indicates the increased incidence of COVID-19 infection in populations undergoing haemodialysis. Out of 126 patients undergoing dialysis, all of them tested positive at some point, and the patients who died were older than those who survived (56.64 ± 13.15) vs 48.45 ± 11.5, p – 0.001). Despite nationwide lockdown and disruptions in transportation, we were able to continue our healthcare services at charitable haemodialysis centres without any interruption.