Clinical characteristics and factors associated with shorter length of hospital stay among deceased COVID-19 patients in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND

The length of hospital stay (LoS) among COVID-19 patients is influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with LoS among deceased Cambodian patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

We analyzed a total of 106 deceased patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection reported between March 11 and May 1, 2021, and publicly shared on the Ministry of Health's Facebook page. A zero-inflated Poisson regression model was used to identify factors associated with LoS. Maximum likelihood estimates, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated, and model goodness of fit was assessed.

RESULTS

The mean LoS to death was 4.39 days (standard deviation, SD = 5.17). Factors associated with a shorter LoS included critical respiratory symptoms (p = .011), being dead on arrival (p < .0001), advanced age (p = .003), residence in a province (p = .004), presence of multiple chronic conditions (p = .0006), and receiving care at a non-designated COVID-19 treatment facility (p = .005). In contrast, each additional day between SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and hospital admission was associated with an approximately 9% increase in LoS (95% CI 1.07, 1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite substantial efforts by the Cambodian government to control the pandemic, many COVID-19 patients died shortly after hospital admission. The findings highlight important patient characteristics and underscore the need for improved patient education, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and enhanced public preparedness for future pandemics.