Clinical characteristics and factors associated with shorter length of hospital stay among deceased COVID-19 patients in Cambodia

BACKGROUND: The length of hospital stay (LoS) among COVID-19 patients is influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with LoS among deceased Cambodian patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 106 deceased patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection reported between March 11 and May 1, 2021, and publicly shared on the Ministry of Health's Facebook page. A zero-inflated Poisson regression model was used to identify factors associated with LoS. Maximum likelihood estimates, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated, and model goodness of fit was assessed. RESULTS: The mean LoS to death was 4.39 days (standard deviation, SD = 5.17). Factors associated with a shorter LoS included critical respiratory symptoms (p = .011), being dead on arrival (p < .0001), advanced age (p = .003), residence in a province (p = .004), presence of multiple chronic conditions (p = .0006), and receiving care at a non-designated COVID-19 treatment facility (p = .005). In contrast, each additional day between SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and hospital admission was associated with an approximately 9% increase in LoS (95% CI 1.07, 1.10). CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial efforts by the Cambodian government to control the pandemic, many COVID-19 patients died shortly after hospital admission. The findings highlight important patient characteristics and underscore the need for improved patient education, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and enhanced public preparedness for future pandemics.