Covid-19 related hospital admissions in the united states: Needs and outcomes

Cohort studies and case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) have spread almost as quickly as the virus,12345 with inadequate methodological quality sometimes hampering thoughtful interpretation. For example, one New York cohort study initially reported a mortality of 88% for patients requiring mechanical ventilation before readers’ responses led to a correction clarifying that the rate was 25% and would grow to an uncertain extent because 72% of patients were still in hospital.4 In contrast, the two linked cohort studies from the United States provide rigorous outcome ascertainment and adjustment for case mix.67 By delaying publication until most enrolled patients had confirmed outcomes and by using modern survival analysis methods these authors have greatly enhanced our understanding of the epidemiology of covid-19.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)