The 'hub and spoke model' for the management of surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Int J Health Plann Manage
; 36(5): 1397-1406, 2021 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1245422
ABSTRACT
During the on-going COVID-19 pandemic a number of key public health services have been severely impacted. These include elective surgical services due to the synergetic resources required to provide both perioperative surgical care whilst also treating acute COVID-19 patients and also the poor outcomes associated with surgical patients who develop COVID-19 in the perioperative period. This article discusses the important principles and concepts for providing important surgical services during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the model of the RMCancerSurgHub which is providing surgical cancer services for a population of approximately 2 million people across London during the pandemic. The model focusses on creating local and regional hub centres which provide urgent treatment for surgical patients in an environment that is relatively protected from the burden of COVID-19 illness. The model extensively utilises the extended multidisciplinary team to allow for a flexible approach with core services delivered in 'clean' sites which can adapt to viral surges. A key requirement is that of a clinical prioritisation process which allows for equity in access within and between specialties ensuring that patients are treated on the basis of greatest need, while at the same time protecting those whose conditions can safely wait from exposure to the virus. Importantly, this model has the ability to scale-up activity and lead units and networks into the recovery phase. The model discussed is also broadly applicable to providing surgical services during any viral pandemic.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Elective Surgical Procedures
/
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Health Plann Manage
Journal subject:
Health Services Research
/
Health Services
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Hpm.3243
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