Table 1.
A Comparison Between Patients Deceased in COVID-19 and All Registered Deaths During 2019 for Patients Who Died in a Nursing Home or in a Hospitala (Only Expected Deaths in Both Columns)
| Characteristics | COVID-19 Patients, Nursing Homes, and Hospitals | All Registered Expected Deaths in 2019, Nursing Homes and Hospitals | Pb |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of patients | 1346 | 33,450 | |
| Age; mean (range) | 84.5 (20–107) SD 8.73 | 84.5 (1–111) SD 9.86 | NS |
| Female sex (%) | 665/1346 (49) | 18,854/33,450 (56) | <0.00001 |
| Retained ability to express will day/days before death (%) | 835/1276 (65) | 21,390/31,429 (68) | <0.05 |
| EOL discussions with patients (%) | 889/1196 (74) | 24,195/30,637 (79) | <0.001 |
| EOL discussions with relativesc (%) | 1032/1233 (84) | 26,820/31,310 (86) | NS |
| Dying with someone present (%) | 753/1275 (59) | 27,176/32,752 (83) | <0.00001 |
| Dying with relative(s) present (%)d | 211/1275 (17) | 16,389/32,752 (50) | <0.00001 |
| Dying with staff presente | 600/1275 (47) | 16,088/32,752 (49) | NS |
| Offered follow-up talk with relatives (%) | 823/1039 (79) | 20,880/26,731 (78) | NS |
COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019; NS = not significant; EOL = end of life.
a
I do not know was an option for most questions. Therefore, numbers may not sum to group totals.
b
P-values indicate differences between COVID-19 patients and all registered deaths in 2019. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
c
Relatives could be family, relatives, and/or close friends.
d
Any relative present, with or without the presence of staff.
e
Staff present, with or without the presence of relatives.