Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients treated with Convalescent Plasma in a Mid-size City in the Midwest

AbstractBackgroundSARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, COVID-19, has infected over seven million people world-wide, including two million people in the United States. While many people recover from the virus uneventfully, a subset of patients will require hospital admission, some with intensive care needs including intubation, and mechanical ventilation. To date there is no cure and no vaccine is available. Passive immunotherapy by the transfusion of convalescent plasma donated by COVID-19 recovered patients might be an effective option to combat the virus, especially if used early in the course of disease. Here we report our experience of using convalescent plasma at a tertiary care center in a mid-size, midwestern city that did not experience an overwhelming patient surge.MethodsHospitalized COVID-19 patients categorized as having Severe or Life-Threatening disease according to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Access Protocol were screened, consented, and treated with convalescent plasma collected from local donors recovered from COVID-19 infection. Clinical data and outcomes were collected retrospectively.Results31 patients were treated, 16 severe patients and 15 life-threatened patients. Overall mortality was 27% (4/31) but only patients with life-threatening disease died. 94% of transfused patients with severe disease avoided escalation to ICU care and mechanical ventilation. 67% of patients with life-threatening disease were able to be extubated. Most transfused patients had a rapid decrease in their respiratory support requirements on or about day 7 following convalescent plasma transfusion.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that convalescent plasma is associated with reducing ventilatory requirements in patients with both severe and life-threatening disease, but appears to be most beneficial when administered early in the course of disease when patients meet the criteria for severe illness.

Download Full-text

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma in a mid-size city in the Midwest

Translational Medicine Communications ◽

10.1186/s41231-020-00068-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

William R. Hartman ◽

Aaron S. Hess ◽

Joseph P. Connor

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Care Needs ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Effective Option ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, COVID-19, has infected over seven million people world-wide, including two million people in the United States. While many people recover from the virus uneventfully, a subset of patients will require hospital admission, some with intensive care needs including intubation, and mechanical ventilation. To date there is no cure and no vaccine is available. Passive immunotherapy by the transfusion of convalescent plasma donated by COVID-19 recovered patients might be an effective option to combat the virus, especially if used early in the course of disease. Here we report our experience of using convalescent plasma at a tertiary care center in a mid-size, midwestern city that did not experience an overwhelming patient surge. Methods Hospitalized COVID-19 patients categorized as having Severe or Life-Threatening disease according to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Access Protocol were screened, consented, and treated with convalescent plasma collected from local donors recovered from COVID-19 infection. Clinical data and outcomes were collected retrospectively. Results 31 patients were treated, 16 severe patients and 15 life-threatened patients. Overall mortality was 27% (4/31) but only patients with life-threatening disease died. 94% of transfused patients with severe disease avoided escalation to ICU care and mechanical ventilation. 67% of patients with life-threatening disease were able to be extubated. Most transfused patients had a rapid decrease in their respiratory support requirements on or about day 7 following convalescent plasma transfusion. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that convalescent plasma is associated with reducing ventilatory requirements in patients with both severe and life-threatening disease, but appears to be most beneficial when administered early in the course of disease when patients meet the criteria for severe illness.

Download Full-text

Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Treated With Convalescent Plasma in a Mid-size City in The Mid West

10.21203/rs.3.rs-54167/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

William R Hartman ◽

Aaron S Hess ◽

Joseph P Connor

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Care Needs ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Effective Option ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, COVID-19, has infected over seven million people world-wide, including two million people in the United States. While many people recover from the virus uneventfully, a subset of patients will require hospital admission, some with intensive care needs including intubation, and mechanical ventilation. To date there is no cure and no vaccine is available. Passive immunotherapy by the transfusion of convalescent plasma donated by COVID-19 recovered patients might be an effective option to combat the virus, especially if used early in the course of disease. Here we report our experience of using convalescent plasma at a tertiary care center in a mid-size, midwestern city that did not experience an overwhelming patient surge.MethodsHospitalized COVID-19 patients categorized as having Severe or Life-Threatening disease according to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Access Protocol were screened, consented, and treated with convalescent plasma collected from local donors recovered from COVID-19 infection. Clinical data and outcomes were collected retrospectively.Results31 patients were treated, 16 severe patients and 15 life-threatened patients. Overall mortality was 27% (4/31) but only patients with life-threatening disease died. 94% of transfused patients with severe disease avoided escalation to ICU care and mechanical ventilation. 67% of patients with life-threatening disease were able to be extubated. Most transfused patients had a rapid decrease in their respiratory support requirements on or about day 7 following convalescent plasma transfusion.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that convalescent plasma is associated with reducing ventilatory requirements in patients with both severe and life-threatening disease, but appears to be most beneficial when administered early in the course of disease when patients meet the criteria for severe illness.

Download Full-text

Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients treated with Convalescent Plasma in a Mid-size City in the Midwest

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39447/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

William R Hartman ◽

Aaron S Hess ◽

Joseph P Connor

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Care Needs ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Effective Option ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract Background: SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, COVID-19, has infected over seven million people world-wide, including two million people in the United States. While many people recover from the virus uneventfully, a subset of patients will require hospital admission, some with intensive care needs including intubation, and mechanical ventilation. To date there is no cure and no vaccine is available. Passive immunotherapy by the transfusion of convalescent plasma donated by COVID-19 recovered patients might be an effective option to combat the virus, especially if used early in the course of disease. Here we report our experience of using convalescent plasma at a tertiary care center in a mid-size, midwestern city that did not experience an overwhelming patient surge.Methods: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients categorized as having Severe or Life-Threatening disease according to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Access Protocol were screened, consented, and treated with convalescent plasma collected from local donors recovered from COVID-19 infection. Clinical data and outcomes were collected retrospectively.Results: 31 patients were treated, 16 severe patients and 15 life-threatened patients. Overall mortality was 27% (4/31) but only patients with life-threatening disease died. 94% of transfused patients with severe disease avoided escalation to ICU care and mechanical ventilation. 67% of patients with life-threatening disease were able to be extubated. Most transfused patients had a rapid decrease in their respiratory support requirements on or about day 7 following convalescent plasma transfusion.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that convalescent plasma is associated with reducing ventilatory requirements in patients with both severe and life-threatening disease, but appears to be most beneficial when administered early in the course of disease when patients meet the criteria for severe illness.

Download Full-text

Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients treated with Convalescent Plasma in a Mid-size City in the Midwest

10.21203/rs.3.rs-54167/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

William R Hartman ◽

Aaron S Hess ◽

Joseph P Connor

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Care Needs ◽

Course Of Disease ◽

Effective Option ◽

Life Threatening

Abstract BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, COVID-19, has infected over seven million people world-wide, including two million people in the United States. While many people recover from the virus uneventfully, a subset of patients will require hospital admission, some with intensive care needs including intubation, and mechanical ventilation. To date there is no cure and no vaccine is available. Passive immunotherapy by the transfusion of convalescent plasma donated by COVID-19 recovered patients might be an effective option to combat the virus, especially if used early in the course of disease. Here we report our experience of using convalescent plasma at a tertiary care center in a mid-size, midwestern city that did not experience an overwhelming patient surge. Methods Hospitalized COVID-19 patients categorized as having Severe or Life-Threatening disease according to the Mayo Clinic Emergency Access Protocol were screened, consented, and treated with convalescent plasma collected from local donors recovered from COVID-19 infection. Clinical data and outcomes were collected retrospectively. Results 31 patients were treated, 16 severe patients and 15 life-threatened patients. Overall mortality was 27% (4/31) but only patients with life-threatening disease died. 94% of transfused patients with severe disease avoided escalation to ICU care and mechanical ventilation. 67% of patients with life-threatening disease were able to be extubated. Most transfused patients had a rapid decrease in their respiratory support requirements on or about day 7 following convalescent plasma transfusion. ConclusionOur results demonstrate that convalescent plasma is associated with reducing ventilatory requirements in patients with both severe and life-threatening disease, but appears to be most beneficial when administered early in the course of disease when patients meet the criteria for severe illness.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 among Minority Children in Detroit, Michigan during the Early National Surge of the Pandemic

Global Pediatric Health ◽

10.1177/2333794x211022710 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2333794X2110227

Author(s):

Jocelyn Y. Ang ◽

Nirupama Kannikeswaran ◽

Katherine Parker ◽

Eric McGrath ◽

Nahed Abdel-Haq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Severity ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Hospitalization Rate ◽

Severe Illness ◽

P Value ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Increased Risk

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on communities of racial/ethnic minority groups in the US where long-standing health issues and structural inequities are now known to have resulted in increased risk for infection, severe illness, and death from the virus. The objective of our study was to describe demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, medical interventions and outcomes of pediatric patients with COVID-19 treated at Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM), a tertiary care center in urban Detroit, an early hotspot during the initial surge of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed of children ≤18 years of age who had polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing via NP swab or serum IgG antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 during March 1, 2020–June 30, 2020. Results. Seventy-eight COVID-19 infected children were identified of whom 85.8% (67/78) were from minority populations (African American, Hispanic). Hospitalization rate was 82% (64/78). About 44% (34/78) had an associated comorbidity with asthma and obesity being most common. Although all ages were affected, infants <1 year of age had the highest hospitalization rate (19/64, 30%). In all disease severity categories, dichotomized non-whites had more severe disease by percentage within race/ethnicity than Whites, and also within percent disease severity ( P-value = .197). Overall, 37% of hospitalized patients required intensive care. Conclusions. Extremely high rates of COVID-19 hospitalization and requirement of ICU care were identified in our patient population. Further studies are needed to better understand the contributing factors to this health disparity in disadvantaged communities.

Download Full-text

Personalized stratification of back to work risk amidst COVID-19: A machine learning approach (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22030 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carson Lam ◽

Jacob Calvert ◽

Gina Barnes ◽

Emily Pellegrini ◽

Anna Lynn-Palevsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

High Risk ◽

Learning Algorithm ◽

Severe Disease ◽

High Specificity ◽

Population Level ◽

The United States ◽

Health Condition ◽

Available P ◽

Severe Illness

BACKGROUND In the wake of COVID-19, the United States has developed a three stage plan to outline the parameters to determine when states may reopen businesses and ease travel restrictions. The guidelines also identify subpopulations of Americans that should continue to stay at home due to being at high risk for severe disease should they contract COVID-19. These guidelines were based on population level demographics, rather than individual-level risk factors. As such, they may misidentify individuals at high risk for severe illness and who should therefore not return to work until vaccination or widespread serological testing is available. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated a machine learning algorithm for the prediction of serious illness due to COVID-19 using inpatient data collected from electronic health records. METHODS The algorithm was trained to identify patients for whom a diagnosis of COVID-19 was likely to result in hospitalization, and compared against four U.S policy-based criteria: age over 65, having a serious underlying health condition, age over 65 or having a serious underlying health condition, and age over 65 and having a serious underlying health condition. RESULTS This algorithm identified 80% of patients at risk for hospitalization due to COVID-19, versus at most 62% that are identified by government guidelines. The algorithm also achieved a high specificity of 95%, outperforming government guidelines. CONCLUSIONS This algorithm may help to enable a broad reopening of the American economy while ensuring that patients at high risk for serious disease remain home until vaccination and testing become available.

Download Full-text

Impact of Rapid PCR Influenza Testing on the Rate of Inpatient Admissions During Influenza Season at a Tertiary-Care Center

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.830 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s263-s264

Author(s):

Jordan Polistico ◽

Avnish Sandhu ◽

Teena Chopra ◽

Erin Goldman ◽

Jennifer LeRose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Season ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Turnaround Time ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care Center ◽

Pediatric Hospital ◽

Rapid Pcr ◽

The Impact

Background: Influenza causes a high burden of disease in the United States, with an estimate of 960,000 hospitalizations in the 2017–2018 flu season. Traditional flu diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have a longer (24 hours or more) turnaround time that may lead to an increase in unnecessary inpatient admissions during peak influenza season. A new point-of-care rapid PCR assays, Xpert Flu, is an FDA-approved PCR test that has a significant decrease in turnaround time (2 hours). The present study sought to understand the impact of implementing a new Xpert Flu test on the rate of inpatient admissions. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to compare rates of inpatient admissions in patients tested with traditional flu PCR during the 2017–2018 flu season and the rapid flu PCR during the 2018–2019 flu season in a tertiary-care center in greater Detroit area. The center has 1 pediatric hospital (hospital A) and 3 adult hospitals (hospital B, C, D). Patients with influenza-like illness who presented to all 4 hospitals during 2 consecutive influenza seasons were analyzed. Results: In total, 20,923 patients were tested with either the rapid flu PCR or the traditional flu PCR. Among these, 14,124 patients (67.2%) were discharged from the emergency department and 6,844 (32.7%) were admitted. There was a significant decrease in inpatient admissions in the traditional flu PCR group compared to the rapid flu PCR group across all hospitals (49.56% vs 26.6% respectively; P < .001). As expected, a significant proportion of influenza testing was performed in the pediatric hospital, 10,513 (50.2%). A greater reduction (30% decrease in the rapid flu PCR group compared to the traditional flu PCR group) was observed in inpatient admissions in the pediatric hospital (Table 1) Conclusions: Rapid molecular influenza testing can significantly decrease inpatient admissions in a busy tertiary-care hospital, which can indirectly lead to improved patient quality with easy bed availability and less time spent in a private room with droplet precautions. Last but not the least, this testing method can certainly lead to lower healthcare costs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Download Full-text

526. Clinical Presenting Characteristics of Pediatric COVID-19 Infection in a Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital in Detroit

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.720 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S330-S330

Author(s):

Jocelyn Y Ang ◽

Nirupama Kannikeswaran ◽

Basim Asmar

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Patient Disposition

Abstract Background There is limited data regarding the presenting clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children. Our objective is to describe the clinical presentations and outcomes of COVID-19 infection early in the pandemic at our institution. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of children up to 18 years who underwent testing for SARS CoV-2 from March 1st to May 10th 2020 at our pediatric emergency department. We abstracted patient’s demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies and patient disposition. We classified the severity of clinical illness based on published criteria. We excluded patients diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Results SARS CoV-2 testing was performed on 481 patients of whom 43 (8.9%) tested positive. Of these, 4 were diagnosed with MIS-C. Data of 39 patients were analyzed. Patients’ demographics, co-morbidities, presenting signs and symptoms and disposition are shown in Table 1. Age range was 47 days – 18 years. Infants representing one third (14/39; 35.9%) of our study cohort. There was equal sex distribution. Asthma or obesity was present in 17 (44%). The most common presenting symptoms included fever, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea. Chest radiograph showed pneumonia in 12 (30.8%) patients. Two thirds (27/39; 69.2%) were asymptomatic or had mild disease; six patients (15.4%) had severe or critical illness (Figure 1). Nineteen (48%) patients were admitted to the general pediatric service. Eleven (28%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICU). The characteristics, presenting symptoms and interventions performed in the PICU cohort are shown in Table 2. Half of these patients required mechanical ventilation. There was one death in a 3 month old infant unrelated to SARS CoV-2. Majority of the infants required hospitalization (12/14; 85.7%), including 4 to the PICU (one each for non accidental trauma, ingestion, seizure and pneumonia). Table 1. Patient demographics, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection in Children Table 2: PICU patients: Characteristics, Interventions and pharmacotherapy Figure 1: Severity of Ill ness in the study cohort Conclusion Majority (17; 43%) of our children with COVID-19 had a mild disease. Eleven (28%) including 4 infants required critical care; 5 required mechanical ventilation. There was no COVID-19 related mortality. Larger studies are needed to further define the spectrum of COVID- 19 and risk factors associated with severe disease in children. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Download Full-text

#14: Blastomycosis in 64 Wisconsin Children: Unanticipated Infection Risk and Severity in Urban Residents

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society ◽

10.1093/jpids/piab031.014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S8-S8

Author(s):

Jaimee M Hall ◽

Peter L Havens ◽

Errin A Mitchell ◽

Gabriel N De Vela ◽

Lauren L Titus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Environmental Exposure ◽

Care Center ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Urban Children ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Exposure Source

Abstract Background Blastomycosis is an endemic mycosis of immunocompetent individuals, typically seen after exposure to wooded areas near rivers, lakes, and streams in rural locations, and often not considered a disease of urban environments. Disease can be isolated to lung, or disseminate to skin, bone, or central nervous system. Factors influencing disease acquisition and severity in children are unknown. Methods We analyzed acquisition risk factors and disease characteristics of blastomycosis in children treated at a tertiary care center from 1998–2018 to identify exposure source and measure disease severity, to identify cases without “typical exposure”, and to measure the effect of race on disease severity. Results Of 64 children, median age was 13.3 years, 72% were male, 38% resided in urban counties, and 50% had typical environmental exposure. Isolated pulmonary infection occurred in 33 (52%). The remaining children had evidence of dissemination including skin (N=13), bone (N=16; 7 clinically silent), and central nervous system (N=7; 3 clinically silent). Infection was moderate/severe in 19 (30%). Two children (3%) died. 79% of children with moderate/severe disease (p=0.008) and 71% of urban children (p=0.007) had no typical environmental exposure. Comparing children from urban counties to other residences, 63% versus 5% were black (p<0.001) and 71% versus 35% developed extrapulmonary dissemination (p=0.006). Moderate/severe disease occurred in 7/17 (42%) black and 12/47 (26%) children of other race (p=0.23). Conclusions Blastomycosis, endemic in urban children in the absence of typical exposure history, has frequent, sometimes clinically silent, extrapulmonary dissemination, with a trend toward more severe disease in black children.

Download Full-text

Role of BAP 65 (Blood Urea Nitrogen, Altered Mental Status, Pulse, Age 65 Years) Scoring System in Risk Stratification of Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease in Tertiary Care Hospital

Nepal Medical Journal ◽

10.37080/nmj.62 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 5-10

Author(s):

Ashish Thapa

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Acute Exacerbation ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease ◽

Institutional Review Boards ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

P Value ◽

Care Hospital

Introduction: Exacerbations are important events in the management of COPD because they negatively impact health status, rates of hospitalization and readmission, and disease progression. COPD AE is one of the commonest case presenting to the TUTH Emergency, average being 5 patients a day. The aim of the study was to co-relate the BAP 65 score, mortality and mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods: It was an observational study, 648 patients from emergency of TUTH were screened for the study from Magh 2073 to Asar 2074 after getting approval from the institutional review boards, among them 114 were included after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and BAP 65 score was calculated. The patients were followed till discharge, mechanical ventilation or mortality. Data entry was done in MS EXCEL and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 24. Results: Total of 114 patients enrolled for the study from the emergency of TUTH. There were total 16 mortality and 12 patients were mechanically ventilated. Most of the mortality and mechanical ventilation were from severe group ie BAP class IV and V. We used Pearson Chi-squared test to compare between BAP 65 class and Mortality, and found that mortality rate increased with increasing BAP 65 class with a p value of < 0.0001. The need of Mechanical Ventilation increased as well, as the BAP 65 Class increased, less than 1% of the patients with BAP class I needed MV, the cause being Type II Respiratory Failure, while around 50% of the patients with BAP class V needed MV. Conclusions: BAP 65 score is an effective and simple tool to classify the patients presenting with AECOPD, it correlated well with both the need of mechanical ventilation and mortality. Higher the score higher the chances of severe disease.

Download Full-text