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The COVID-19 pandemic: impact on surgical departments of non-university hospitals.
Stöß, Christian; Steffani, Marcella; Kohlhaw, Kay; Rudroff, Claudia; Staib, Ludger; Hartmann, Daniel; Friess, Helmut; Müller, Michael W.
  • Stöß C; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Ismaninger St 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
  • Steffani M; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Ismaninger St 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
  • Kohlhaw K; Clinic of General, Visceral, MIS and Vascular Surgery, Clinical Centre Borna, Borna, Germany.
  • Rudroff C; Clinic of General and Visceral Surgery, Evangelisches Klinikum Köln Weyertal, Cologne, Germany.
  • Staib L; Clinic of General and Visceral Surgery, Clinical Centre Esslingen, Esslingen, Germany.
  • Hartmann D; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Ismaninger St 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
  • Friess H; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Ismaninger St 22, 81675, Munich, Germany. helmut.friess@tum.de.
  • Müller MW; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Ismaninger St 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
BMC Surg ; 20(1): 313, 2020 Dec 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-958033
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, German health care centres were restructured for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This was accompanied by the suspension of the surgical programme. The aim of the survey was to determine the effects of COVID-19 on surgical care in non-university hospitals in Germany.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study was based on an anonymous online survey, which was accessible from April 24th to May 10th, 2020 for surgeons of the Konvent der leitenden Krankenhauschirurgen (Convention of leading Hospital Surgeons) in Germany. The analysis comprised of 22.8% (n = 148/649) completed surveys.

RESULTS:

Communication and cooperation with authorities, hospital administration and other departments were largely considered sufficient. In the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, 28.4% (n = 42/148) of the respondents complained about a short supply of protective equipment available for the hospital staff. 7.4% (n = 11/148) of the participants stated that emergency operations had to be postponed or rescheduled. A decreased quantity of emergency surgical procedures and a decreased number of surgical emergency patients treated in the emergency room was reported in 43.9% (n = 65/148) and 63.5% (n = 94/148), respectively. Consultation and treatment of oncological patients in the outpatient clinic was decreased in 54.1% (n = 80/148) of the surveyed hospitals. To increase the capacity for COVID-19 patients, a reduction of bed and operating room occupancy of 50.8 ± 19.3% and 54.2 ± 19.1% were reported, respectively. Therefore, 90.5% (n = 134/148) of all participants expected a loss of revenue of 28.2 ± 12.9% in 2020.

CONCLUSION:

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on surgical care in Germany. The reduction in the bed and the operating room capacity may have lead to considerable delays in urgent and semi-elective surgical interventions. In addition to the risk of worsening patient care, we anticipate severe financial damage to the clinics in 2020 and beyond. National and supranational planning is urgently needed to ensure the surgical care of patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Surgery Department, Hospital / Surgical Procedures, Operative / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMC Surg Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12893-020-00970-x

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Surgery Department, Hospital / Surgical Procedures, Operative / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: BMC Surg Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12893-020-00970-x