THE EFFECT OF VIRTUAL CLINIC ON EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISIT FOR DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Background: Heart failure patients struggled during COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 with loss of follow up and loss of urgent access to the heart function clinic. Hospitals instituted virtual clinics to ensure continuity of care. However, the effect of the virtual clinics in preventing emergency department visits is still lacking. Methods: A survey conducted on 200 heart failure patients following in the heart function clinic on their experience during lockdown in 2020. Results: Heart Failure patients who had a virtual visit were 179 (89.5%) patients out of the patients who were interviewed. Verbal consent was obtained from all participants, 176 (88%) were the patients themselves and 24 (12%) were caregivers. The mean age of the patients was 51y SD 13y and women represent 37% of participants. Patients who reported symptoms during virtual visits were 101 (50.5%). The most common reported symptom was shortness of breath in 56 (28%), lower limb swelling 15 (7.5%), both shortness of breath and lower limb swelling were reported in 30 (15%). Majority of patients explained their symptoms during virtual visit while 15 (7.5%) found it difficult to describe their symptoms during virtual visits. Medication refill was available for 193 (96.5%) patients while 7 (3.5%) couldn’t have their medication. Loop diuretics were adjusted in 82 (41%) patients while other anti-failure medications were adjusted in 52 (26%) patients only. Majority of patient didn’t need to visit emergency department 173 (86%) while 21