A Study of COVID-19 Mortality From Deployed Military Field Intensive Care Unit Supporting Penang Hospital: Risk Factors Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The third wave of COVID-19 struck Malaysia in a tougher way. It was not only straining the health system but also carried a higher mortality rate. The phenomenon not only led to an influx of critically ill COVID-19 patients but also outstripped the number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds available. Consequently, the first Field Intensive Care Unit was set up in the compound of Hospital Kepala Batas (HKB) in Penang, known as HKB Field ICU (HKB FICU). Objectives: This study would like to focus on the outcome of patients admitted to the field ICU, primarily describing the mortality rate and risk factors or comorbidities among non-survivors. Methods: This is a retrospective study. The details of the non-survivor hospital record, including the length of stay, and comorbidities were collated and examined to determine the key risk factors. Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Pregnancy, Cardiovascular events such as stroke and ischemic heart disease, vaccination status, and older age are among the risk variables investigated in this study. The study period was from May 28, 2021 until Dec 29, 2021. Results: Out of 421 patients, 40 were non-survivors, resulting in a mortality rate of 9.5% for the HKB FICU. The oldest non-survivor was 89 years old, and the youngest was 27 years old, with a mean age of 54.58 (SD=16.65). Males account for 67.5% of deaths (27 patients), while females account for 32.5%(13 patients). Most non-survivors (62.5 %) had two risk factors, 20% had three or more risk factors and 17.5% had at least 1 risk factor. Hypertension (42.5 %) and Diabetes Mellitus (42.5 %) were the most common risk factors among the non-survivors (40%).