ABSTRACT
This article considers the recent calls to provide doctors with immunity from medical negligence claims arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. It provides a critical analysis as to the conditions that would need to be considered for such a policy as well as exploring the wider ramifications.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence , Medical Errors/prevention & control , Pandemics/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Safety/legislation & jurisprudence , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , COVID-19 , Clinical Competence , Health Personnel/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Safety Management/legislation & jurisprudence , State MedicineABSTRACT
John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses how the Courts may view clinical negligence claims brought by families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence , Pandemics , Patient Safety/legislation & jurisprudence , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , State Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , United Kingdom/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Singapore was one of the first countries to be affected by COVID-19, with the index patient diagnosed on January 23, 2020. For 2 weeks in February, we had the highest number of COVID-19 cases behind China. In this article, we summarize the key national and institutional policies that were implemented in response to COVID-19. We also describe in detail, with relevant data, how our vascular surgery practice has changed because of these policies and COVID-19. We show that with a segregated team model, the vascular surgery unit can still function while reducing risk of cross-contamination. We explain the various strategies adopted to reduce outpatient and inpatient volume. We provide a detailed breakdown of the type of vascular surgical cases that were performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare it with preceding months. We discuss our operating room and personal protective equipment protocols in managing a COVID-19 patient and share how we continue surgical training amid the pandemic. We also discuss the challenges we might face in the future as COVID-19 regresses.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Services Needs and Demand/legislation & jurisprudence , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Policy Making , Tertiary Care Centers/legislation & jurisprudence , Vascular Surgical Procedures/legislation & jurisprudence , Ambulatory Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Ambulatory Care/organization & administration , Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Health Services Needs and Demand/organization & administration , Hospital Departments/legislation & jurisprudence , Hospital Departments/organization & administration , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Infection Control/legislation & jurisprudence , Infection Control/organization & administration , Occupational Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Pandemics , Patient Care Team/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Patient Safety/legislation & jurisprudence , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Program Evaluation , SARS-CoV-2 , Singapore/epidemiology , Tertiary Care Centers/organization & administration , Workload/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses patient safety during the present coronavirus pandemic.