Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes and Psychological Experiences of Patients Hospitalized in a Field Hospital Dedicated for COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Objective: To explore the characteristics, clinical outcomes and psychological experience of patients infected with COVID-19 admitted to a field hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Medical records of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the COVID-19 field hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia from July 20 to November 9, 2020 were reviewed. Clinical features and outcomes of patients were collected for analysis. A telephonic questionnaire was used to explore the hospital stay experience of COVID-19 discharged patients. Results: A total of 208 patients were included (mean age, 51.5 years; range 26-85 years; 76.9% male). The most common comorbidities were diabetes (106; 50.96%) and hypertension (81; 38.94%). On admission, all patients (n= 208, 100%) had pneumonia, 40.86% were febrile, and 47.11% of patients had an oxygen saturation level below 93%. Headache and fatigue were also documented among 37% and 30% of all patients respectively on admission. During the study period, only one patient died in the center. Analysis of psychological experience of 81 patients showed that 45.68% of patients rejected the idea of receiving care in a hospital dedicated for COVID-19. However, the patients’ attitude toward their experience changed from negative to finally quite positive about the care they received. Conclusion: Field hospitals can be effectively used to provide care for COVID-19 patients with good clinical outcomes. Appropriate psychological interventions are required to change the patients’ attitude towards such settings and improve the hospital stay experience.