COVID-19 Pneumonia Virtual Follow-up Service in Greater Glasgow and Clyde: Effectiveness and Outcomes.

Abstract

A COVID-19 pneumonia virtual follow-up service was established within Glasgow Greater and Clyde Health Board in line with national guidance. We aim to evaluate this service and identify patient factors which may predict likelihood of attendance.

Using digital clinical systems, we retrospectively collected data on all patients referred to the service between March and August 2020.

802 patients were invited to attend our service. 82.7% of patients were discharged after virtual clinic review; 609 patients (75.9%) had radiological resolution and 54 patients (6.7%) failed to attend follow-up chest x-ray.

Persistent radiological changes prompted a face to face (13 patients) or telephone (93 patients) clinic review, and patients could self-refer to the service if they had persistent symptoms. Subsequent investigations were organised for 150 patients inclusive of imaging, clinical physiology, blood tests and speciality referrals. Post-COVID19 diagnoses were made in 104 patients (12.9%) of the follow-up population including parenchymal lung disease, pulmonary thromboembolism and long COVID.

We identified age, requirement for translator and number of household members as predictors for attending follow up. Patients were more likely to attend with increasing age (p <0.001) and with increased household numbers (p <0.001). The requirement of an interpreter significantly reduced the likelihood to attend (p=0.005).

In conclusion, our follow-up service was effective in discharging patients with radiological resolution, identifying complications of COVID-19 and had low non-attendance rate. Developing the service to address language barriers and aid attendance for the elderly would be beneficial.