Frequency and severity of general surgical emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic: single-centre experience from a large metropolitan teaching hospital.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
; : 1-6, 2020 Jun 27.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-620461
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The COVID-19 pandemic has put significant stress on healthcare systems globally. This study focuses on emergency general surgery services at a major trauma centre and teaching hospital. We aimed to identify whether the number of patients and the severity of their presentation has significantly changed since the implementation of a national lockdown. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
This study is a retrospective review of acute referrals (from general practice and accident and emergency) to the emergency general surgery team over a 14-day period before (group 1) and during (group 2) lockdown.RESULTS:
A total of 151 patients were reviewed by the general surgical team in group 1 and 75 in group 2 (a 50.3% reduction). The number of days with symptoms prior to presentation was significantly shorter in group 1 compared with group 2 (3 vs 4, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the National Early Warning Score, white blood cell count, lymphocytes and C-reactive protein on admission between the two groups of patients. There were significantly fewer patients admitted after lockdown compared with pre-lockdown (66% vs 48%, p = 0.01). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter during lockdown compared with pre-lockdown (5 days vs 4 days, p = 0.04).CONCLUSION:
Fewer patients were referred and admitted during lockdown compared with pre-lockdown, and the length of stay was also significantly reduced. There was also a delay in presentation to hospital, although these patients were not more unwell based on the scoring criteria used within this study.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Rcsann.2020.0147
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