The Impact of CoViD-19 on hospital activities: The case of the C.O.U. Otorhinolaryngology

The CoViD-19 pandemic imposed severe social containment measures in all sectors on countries around the world. This led to a general reorganization of the health sector involving all medical specialties. In addition, the growing influx of CoViD-19 patients in serious or critical conditions has led to a reallocation of healthcare personnel and a block of elective procedures deemed deferrable. Therefore, the surgical departments are those that have most undergone a modification of the activity normally provided. In fact, various protocols have been adopted to help doctors identify those cases in which a delay in surgery could cause serious damage to patients and on which it is necessary to intervene, thus also improving the appropriateness of admission. This study was conducted in the Complex Operative Unit (C.O.U.) of Otorhinolaryngology of the University Hospital of Salerno (Italy) "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona". Data were collected on patients who entered hospital in 2019 and 2020. Statistical analysis and logistic regression were used to quantify the effect of CoViD-19 on C.O.U.. To do this, the year 2019 was used as a reference of the normal activity of the department and compared with what was achieved in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Logistic regression performed on these data showed an increase in length of hospital stay (LOS) and diagnostic related group (DRG) weight in 2020 thus showing increased appropriateness of care offered.