COVID-19 pandemic 2020: a tertiary Melbourne hospital's experience

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different parts of Australia in distinct ways across 2020 and 2021. In 2020, Melbourne was the epicentre of COVID-19. As one of the key tertiary centres caring for the patients affected by the outbreaks, the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) managed the majority of the Victorian inpatient caseload.

Aims: To review the demographics, management and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 cared for by the RMH services in 2020.

Methods: A single health service retrospective cohort analysis of demographics, interventions and outcomes was conducted to characterise the RMH experience in 2020.

Results: From January to December 2020, 433 patients required admission more than 24 h. The demographics of affected patients and outcomes changed over the course of the study. Overall, 47% (203/433) required oxygen, most frequently (36%; 154/433) with low-flow devices (nasal prongs or hudson mask), and 11% (47/433) of patients required admission to intensive care. We recorded a 30-day mortality of 24% (104/433) mortality overall, rising to over 50% in patients aged over 80 years.

Conclusions: The experience of this health service in 2020 demonstrated changing demographics over time, with associated differences in outcomes; notably marked mortality in older populations, frequent complications and limited inter-site transfer possible with mobilised resources.