Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1293502
22 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE COVID-19 'long haulers' take symptom research into own hands By Mackenzie Bean A group of COVID-19 patients with prolonged symptoms created their own research group to explore why a subfaction of patients still feel sick long aer contracting the virus, reported MIT Technology Review. Gina Assaf, a technology design consultant in Washington, D.C., contracted COVID-19 in mid-March and experienced symptoms of fatigue for several months. She joined a Slack support group for hundreds of other patients with similar prolonged symptoms, many of whom call themselves "long haulers." Aer realizing these individuals were trying to find commonalities among why they were all experiencing long-term symptoms, Ms. Assaf launched a research channel within the Slack group called Patient-Led Research for COVID-19. Six scientists and survey designers lead the 23-person research team, which released its first report in May. e report is based on insights from 640 patient responses from an online poll conducted between April 21 and May 2. Four report findings: 1. Nearly 58 percent of respondents had at least one preexisting condition, the most common being asthma and vitamin D deficiency. 2. A majority of patients reported fluctua- tions in the type (70 percent) and intensity (89 percent) of their symptoms over the course of being sick. 3. About 90 percent of patients had not fully recovered at the time they took the survey. ey reported an average symptom duration of 40 days, with some experiencing symp- toms for five to seven weeks. 4. Among the 10 percent who had recov- ered, the average length of symptoms was 27 days. n 1 in 3 patients may have neurological issues after COVID-19, experts say By Mackenzie Bean A t least one-third of COVID-19 patients may experience lingering neurological issues after recovering from the infection, health experts told STAT. Neurological or psychological effects range from anxiety and depression to more nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, sleep issues or waking abnormal- ities due to nerve damage, according to Teodor Postolache, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in College Park. "We would say that perhaps between 30 percent and 50 percent of people with an infection that has clinical manifestations are going to have some form of mental health issues," he told STAT. Other potential effects include "a general sense of not being at your best" and not fully recovering abilities to perform academically, physically or occu- pationally, according to Dr. Postolache. These symptoms highlight a growing consensus among researchers that COVID-19 can affect the brain long-term, according to STAT. "It's not only an acute problem. This is going to be a chronic illness," Wes Ely, a researcher, pulmonologist and critical care physician at Nashville, Tenn.- based Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told the publication. "The prob- lem for these people is not over when they leave the hospital." Researchers said it is still unclear when or if these neurological issues resolve themselves. There is also little research exploring why they occur or how to prevent and treat them, STAT reported. n Lehigh Valley Hospital apologizes after patients report meal delays By Morgan Haefner L ehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pa., is apologizing after patients said their meals were regularly delayed or not delivered, according to The Morning Call. In April, the hospital's parent, Lehigh Valley Health Network, changed food management companies. Sodexo was the health system's previous food ven- dor. Now, a division within the same company that manages LVHN's cleaning services, Compass One Healthcare, also oversees food services. Patients had shared stories on social media about having to bring their own snacks because of food service problems. One post was shared more than 200 times, which caught the attention of LVH-Cedar Crest President Bill Kent. He personally reached out to the person who made the post to apologize. In a joint statement to The Morning Call, LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs and Compass One's food division, Morrison Healthcare, said: "Providing service that is anything less than exceptional is unacceptable. We regret that any patient had an unsatisfactory experience and apologize to everyone who has. Morrison is quickly bringing a strong team of experienced leaders to the hospital to ensure delays or any other food service concerns are corrected and do not happen again." n