Key result
German chest pain unit beds drop ~3% during early COVID-19, maintaining adequate patient coverage.
Why the study?
To determine the structure and changes in organisation and bed capacities of certified German chest pain units in response to the emergency plan set-up for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Cross-Sectional (n=261)
Yes
Effect estimate: -3%
Absolute Event Rate: 1689% vs 1738%
Certified German chest pain units were able to maintain adequate coverage for chest pain patients during the early COVID-19 pandemic despite structural changes and a 3% decrease in bed capacities.
Indicates maintained German chest pain unit capacity early in COVID-19; leaves open effects on outcomes and applicability elsewhere.
BACKGROUND: We sought to determine structure and changes in organisation and bed capacities of certified German chest pain units (CPU) in response to the emergency plan set-up as a response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in the form of a standardised telephone interview survey in certified German CPUs. Analyses comprised the overall setting of the CPU, bed capacities, possibilities for ventilation, possible changes in organisation and resources, chest pain patient admittance, overall availability of CPUs and bail-out strategies. The response rate was 91%. Nationwide, CPU bed capacities decreased by 3% in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic response, exhibiting differences within and between the federal states. Pre-pandemic and pandemic bed capacities stayed below 1 CPU bed per 50,000 inhabitants. 97% of CPUs were affected by internal reorganisation pandemic plans at variable extent. While we observed a decrease of CPU beds within an emergency room (ER) set-up and on intermediate care units (ICU), beds in units being separated from ER and ICU were even increased in numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Certified German CPUs are able to maintain adequate coverage for chest pain patients in COVID-19 pandemic despite structural changes. However, at this time, it appears important to add operating procedures during pandemic outbreaks to the certification criteria of forthcoming guidelines either at the individual CPU level or more centrally steered by the German Cardiac Society or the European Society of Cardiology.
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Settelmeier et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Chest pain units capacity during COVID-19 (n=261). COVID-19 pandemic response vs. Pre-pandemic capacity was evaluated on CPU bed capacities (-3%). During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic response, German certified chest pain unit bed capacities decreased by 3% nationwide, maintaining adequate coverage for chest pain patients.
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