The Impact of COVID19 on the Number of Dead-on-Arrivals (DOA) During the Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cases of Dead on Arrival (DOA). Methodology: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all DOA files and electronic records from January 2019 to December 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The study compared the number of DOA cases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and estimated the proportion of DOA cases that tested positive for COVID-19. Excess mortality for 2020 was calculated using linear regression with data from the previous five years. Results: Out of 950 DOA cases, 442 were recorded before the pandemic and 508 during it. The mean age of the deceased was 57.51 (±24.12). Among the 508 deaths during the pandemic, only 38 cases underwent COVID-19 testing, with 5 (13.1%) testing positive (p=0.864). The expected number of DOA cases for 2020 was 454, whereas the reported number was 508, indicating an excess of 54 cases. Conclusion: The study suggests an increase in DOA cases in 2020, possibly attributable to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.