After COVID-19 Infection Extended Intensive Care Process and Assessment of its Cost

Abstract

Objective: In coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is about a month. In this case series, we assessed the reason for the long LOS in ICU and the cost analysis. Material and Methods: The study was designed retrospectively. We investigated 533 patients and identified 9 patients with a hospital stay of more than 30 days. Results: Generally, 9 patients were admitted to the ICU with clinical findings that were not specific for COVID-19. During the ICU follow-up, we observed that secondary infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in all the patients. Simultaneously, we determined that the prolonged ICU stay caused additional costs. Conclusion: In the terms of COVID-19 pandemic; the prolongation LOS in ICU leads to cost increase and negative affects the health system.