New York: Only 3% of COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation made it out of hospitals alive (as of April 4, 2020). — The New Neander’s Medical

A short summary.

The decision to institute invasive mechanical ventilation (involving an endotracheal tube) is based on physician judgment. In most instances, mechanical ventilation is instituted preemptively out of fear. The proportion of patients receiving mechanical ventilation may differ several folds between different hospitals. Mortality in ventilated patients can be 100% (Elmhurst hospital in New York), 88% (the New York City area), or 40% (the UK’s RECOVERY trials). The use of invasive mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased mortality and long-lasting damage in surviving patients.

Invasive mechanical ventilation should NOT be used as an outcome in clinical trials. Mortality in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation should not be used as an outcome in clinical trials either.

Hospitals in many countries became dystopian places. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients get exposed to malpractice and suffer long-lasting health consequences.

In the New York City area, in March 2020, 20% of COVID-19 patients were receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.

Richardson et al., 2020 (1):

A total of 5700 patients were included (median age, 63 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 52-75; range, 0-107 years]; 39.7% female).

Out of the total 5700 patients, 1151 (20%), received invasive mechanical ventilation. To obtain 1151, we need to calculate the sum of patients with different outcomes from the table below.

A part of the Table 5. Clinical Measures and Outcomes for Patients Discharged Alive, Dead, and In Hospital at Study End Point by Age. Source: Richardson, 2020.

Richardson et al., 2020 (1), assessed outcomes for 2634 patients who were discharged or had died at the study end point on April 4, 2020.

As of April 4, 2020, only 38 of 1151 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation were discharged alive: 33+5=38. This is only 3.3%. 282 died, and 831 were still in hospital. 

As of April 4, 2020, only 38 (3%) of 1151 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation were discharged alive: 33+5=38. Source: Richardson, 2020.

Mortality for ventilated patients with a known outcome was 88% as of April 4, 2020.

282/(38+282) = 88% mortality.

Of the 831 ventilated patients (72% of all ventialted patients) who were still in hospital as of April 4, 2020, many will die and many will sustain permanent injury.

Read the rest of the article at the following link:
https://medical-en.nneandersphysiologicalliteracy.com/new-york-only-3-of-covid-19-patients-put-on-mechanical-ventilation-made-it-out-of-hospitals-alive-as-of-april-4-2020/