Recovery rates of thromboembolic events due to delayed care : during COVID-19 vs pre-COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Overview: Thromboembolic events are what occur when a blood clot goes through the bloodstream and occludes a vein; types include cardiac embolus and pulmonary embolisms (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). The covid-19 pandemic has imposed many complications in various aspects; social, psychological, and biological. Needless to say that many health issues arose through it all, both direct and indirect. The aim of this dissertation is to shed light on the indirect health complications which this pandemic has affected as not much focus is being provided. Through observation and conversation, the author has noticed that thromboembolic events have been heavily impacted as complications are still being treated to this day due to several factors which are to be discussed further in this dissertation. PICO elements: Population: patients suffering thromboembolic events, Intervention: delayed care during covid-19 pandemic, Comparison: pre-covid pandemic, Outcome: decreased recovery rates Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Adults 18 years and older who suffered a thromboembolic event were included together with studies including cases of late hospitalisations and mismanagement. Teenagers and patients not aware of the FAST approach were excluded. Search Outcomes: After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied five articles remained eligible for the study. These consisted of three meta-analysis/systematic reviews, and two retrospective cohort studies. Methods of appraisal: An inclusion/exclusion criterion was established. Only articles that included a good-quality sample of patients and were published in the English language were included. A thorough search trail using the key terms was carried out on CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, and Cochrane Methodology Register. Main results from evidence: The main results from the studies included in this dissertation were mixed in nature as not all reached a common conclusion. The majority of the studies concluded that the covid-19 pandemic has affected the treatment administration for this time sensitive problem, and others concluded that the recovery and hospitalisation rates have remained the same with no significant difference when compared to pre-pandemic times. Main conclusions: All studies mentioned that further research needs to be conducted on the matter. Implications and important recommendations: As mentioned, further research is needed to get e clearer overview of this pandemic's impacts on conditions not directly connected with the covid-19 virus.