Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Survivors of acute respiratory failure (ARF) have complex healthcare needs postdischarge, frequently resulting in unmet needs. This prospective multicenter study explores the association between COVID-19 status and unmet healthcare needs in survivors of ARF following hospital discharge. We analyzed patient characteristics and unmet healthcare needs by COVID-19 status using a multivariable regression model with propensity weights. ⋯ The median (IQR) percentage of unmet healthcare needs was 26% (17%-36%), with follow-up appointments accounting for most unmet needs. Unmet medication needs were found to be very low at 6%. Despite the challenges in healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, our data suggest COVID status had no observable effect on unmet healthcare needs for ARF survivors, after controlling for patient baseline and clinical status.
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High levels of noise in hospital settings can make communication difficult, especially for older adults. Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are personal amplifiers that can improve hearing in background noise. ⋯ The ALD was used to communicate with family, hospital staff, and physicians. This suggests ALDs can be distributed to patients 60 years and older without any hearing screenings.