Effect of the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic on Outcomes for Patients Admitted With Gastrointestinal Bleeding in New York City

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a massive reorganization of hospital operations, with specific implications for patients hospitalized with gastrointestinal bleeding.1,2 Guidelines recommend minimizing high-risk aerosol-generating procedures, including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and reducing direct patient contact by inpatient consultation services.1-3 The impact of these changes on gastrointestinal bleeding, which is the most common gastrointestinal reason for hospitalization in the United States,4 is unknown.This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes for patients admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding at 2 affiliated hospitals in New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic during the study period.2 We sought to assess differences in hospital length of stay for gastrointestinal bleeding before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also assessed differences in blood product transfusion requirements and the rate of endoscopy performed during hospitalization.