Factors associated with revisits by patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection discharged from a hospital emergency department

Objective.

To analyze emergency department (ED) revisits from patients discharged with possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods.

Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who came to the ED over a period of 2 months and were diagnosed with possible COVID-19. We analyzed clinical and epidemiologic variables, treatments given in the ED, discharge destination, need to revisit, and reasons for revisits. Patients who did or did not revisit were

compared, and factors associated with revisits were explored.

Results.

The 2378 patients included had a mean age of 57 years; 49% were women. Of the 925 patients (39%) discharged, 170 (20.5%) revisited the ED, mainly for persistence or progression of symptoms. Sixty-six (38.8%) were hospitalized. Odds ratios (ORs) for the following factors showed an association with revisits: history of rheumatologic disease (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.10–7.99; P = .03), digestive symptoms (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14–2.63; P = .01), respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.0–1.06; P = .05), and corticosteroid therapy given in the ED (OR, 7.78; 95% CI, 1.77–14.21, P = .01). Factors associated with hospitalization after revisits were age over 48 years (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1 42–4.67; P = .002) and fever (OR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.99–11.27; P = .001).

Conclusions.

Patients under the age of 48 years without comorbidity and with normal vitals can be discharged from the ED without fear of complications. A history of rheumatologic disease, fever, digestive symptoms, and a respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute, or a need for corticosteroid therapy were independently associated with revisits. Fever and age over 48 years were associated with a need for hospitalization.