Managing hand and reconstructive microsurgery service during COVID-19 pandemic: Singapore experience.
Postgrad Med J
; 96(1137): 379-383, 2020 Jul.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-596393
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Managing healthcare service during pandemics and outbreaks is a challenging process. The aim is to keep patient safety as the priority, besides, continuing to provide essential healthcare services.METHODS:
Situational audit was performed for the services rendered before and during COVID-19 pandemic and the elevation of the disease alert status, and a retrospective analysis of the attendance and procedures performed in the service.RESULTS:
We present a methodology for performing a situational audit and generating service modification for hand and reconstructive microsurgery unit in a pandemic. There was no significant difference between the number of patients seen at outpatient clinics. However, there was a reduction in the numbers of total surgeries performed, with a 40% drop in the number of elective surgeries performed. There was also a reduction of cases seen in the emergency department hand clinic.DISCUSSION:
COVID-19 pandemic is currently affecting not only the health service but also, other vital services all over the world. The pandemic puts significant challenges to acute surgical services in a hospital system involved in the management of the pandemic. Surgeons need to take proactive and a systematic approach in managing the available resources while maintaining essential surgical services. This paper provides the tools and methodology for doctors to plan their services in a pandemic situation.CONCLUSIONS:
It is possible to maintain essential surgical services in a pandemic situation through rapid situational audits and generating localised strategies while considering the constraints imposed during the pandemics while maintaining patient and staff safety.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Infection Control
/
Elective Surgical Procedures
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Plastic Surgery Procedures
/
Pandemics
/
Betacoronavirus
/
Hand Injuries
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Systematic review/Meta Analysis
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Postgrad Med J
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Postgradmedj-2020-137735
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