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Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery waitlists in regional centres
Australian Journal of Otolaryngology ; 5, 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-1994737
ABSTRACT

Background:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] impacted many aspects of healthcare in Australia, particularly already strained elective surgery waiting lists in regional areas. Elective operating was suspended throughout New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (Vic) despite cases being predominantly located in metropolitan centres. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of COVID-19 on patients' time spent on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) elective surgery waiting lists and the likelihood of breaching recommended waiting times.

Methods:

Elective ENT operating data was collected from Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) and Dubbo Health Service (DHS) between March 2019 and February 2021. Data was analysed based on the time period (March 2019-February 2020 = pre-COVID, March 2020-February 2021 = COVID) and priority category (1, 2 or 3 based on clinical urgency).

Results:

A total of 2,915 operations were recorded across the two sites during the study period. There were statistically significant increases in both the length of time spent on waiting lists as well as the likelihood of breaching recommended waiting times following the arrival of COVID-19. This was true for both sites as well as across all priority categories.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated a significant increase on the length of time patients spent on elective surgery waiting lists as well as the likelihood of these patients breaching recommended surgery waiting times following COVID-19 pandemic. The shutdown of elective surgery due to the pandemic has had an unnecessarily large impact on regional areas where case numbers were initially low and local services are already stretched. During future waves, a region-specific response involving elective surgery shutdown is recommended, rather than a state-wide or nationwide approach. © 2022 Australian Journal of Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: Scopus Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Journal: Australian Journal of Otolaryngology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: Scopus Type of study: Experimental Studies Language: English Journal: Australian Journal of Otolaryngology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article