Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Access to Congenital Heart Disease Health Services A Single Center Study
Authors: Ghorab Mohammed , Amin Youssef , EzzEldin Dina , ElSayed Maiy 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The SARS-COV2 virus has been extensively researched on a microbiological basis with overview on its various symptoms, complications, modes of transmission and how to possibly treat or even prevent it. But in our research, we are pre-determined to look on how much damage the pandemic has cost our health care system indirectly causes many people to suffer and have their services delayed or postponed.

Aim and objectives
To quantify the impact that COVID-19 had on access to congenital heart disease heath care, comparing data at different time intervals, during March 2020, September-October 2020 and November 2021. In the congenital and structural heart disease unit in Ain Shams university hospitals.

Patients and Methods
This is a Cross-sectional observational study of a 260-patient presented to Ain Shams University Hospitals Structural heart disease in the congenital heart disease cath lab. Patients or their guardians were asked via survey over the Telephone to assess their demographic data, their medical condition, delay in health care services and the respondent own perception to the delay in effect. The answers were compared according to the different time frames and their relation to COVID-19 pandemic.

Results
We have revealed a difference in number of cases between March 2020 (peak pandemic), September-October 2020 and 1 year after in November 2021; number of respondents 31,80 and 149 respectively. There was a statistically significant relation between the delay time (time interval from decision taken to actual intervention done) and (date of the actual procedure); patients who underwent their procedure in the group of March 2020; patients experienced less delay, with 42% of the patients had their procedure done in less than one month. While the group Sep-Oct 2020; Patients experienced the most delay with 50% of the patients had their procedure done in more than 6 months. In group of Nov 2021; 43% of the population had less than one month delay. Over the course of the population studied, almost 21% of respondents believed that there had been a delay in their case due to non -COVID-19 related reasons (hard paperwork and/or long waiting lines). In the group who had their procedure done in March 2020, 60% of respondents believed that their cases were delayed because of non-Covid-19 related reasons (hard paperwork and/or long waiting lines). In the group who had their procedure done in Sep-Oct 2020; 58.9% of respondents thought that their cases were delayed mainly because of COVID-19 related reasons. In the group who had their procedure done in Nov 2021; 39% of respondents believed that their delay was because of COVID-19 related reasons (fear of infection and/or Turing of hospitals into isolation centers/cancelling elective procedures).

Conclusion
We concluded that COVID-19 pandemic has affected the provided the health care services provided. Most of the delayed population, had their procedures delayed because of COVID-19 related reasons. Risk stratification of ACHD according to complexity of illness or severity of symptoms is a must to allow intervention and follow up during drastic times according to a pre-set list of patients’ priorities.