Otorhinolaryngology Out-Patient Practice in the “Post”-COVID-19 Era: Ensuring a Balance Between Service and Safety
https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v35i1.1249
- Author:
José Florencio F. Lapeña, Jr.
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
;
Franco Louie L. Abes
5
,
6
;
Mark Anthony T. Gomez
7
,
8
,
9
;
Cesar Vincent L. Villafuerte III
1
,
10
,
11
,
12
;
Rodante A. Roldan
13
;
Philip B. Fullante
1
,
10
,
14
;
Ryner Jose C. Carrillo
1
,
10
,
15
;
Justin Elfred Lan B. Paber
16
;
Armando T. Isla Jr.
17
;
Rose Alcances-Inocencio
18
;
Jose Benedicto A. Cabazor
19
;
Ruzanne M. Caro
20
;
Ma. Fita P. Guzman
21
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology College of Medicine &ndash
2. Philippine General Hospital
3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City Philippines University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines
4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5794-1878
5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
6. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3990-0674
7. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City Philippines
8. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines
9. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9735-5358
10. Philippine General Hospital University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines
11. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines
12. Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-6262
13. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2092-5903
14. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4064-229X
15. Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2439-7682
16. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Zamboanga City Medical Center, Zamboanga City Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6945-8085
17. Mercy Community Hospital, Iligan City Lanao del Norte, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4730-4944
18. Energy Development Corporation, Ortigas Center Pasig City, Philippines
19. Metro North Medical Center and Hospital Quezon City, Philippines
20. Capitol Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8377-747X
21. Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Alabang Muntinlupa City, Philippines
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19;
SARS-CoV-2;
otorhinolaryngology;
otolaryngology head and neck surgery;
ENT;
out-patient practice;
clinic practice
- From:
Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
2020;35(1):6-29
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To review available resources and provide evidence-based recommendations that may optimize otorhinolaryngologic out-patient health care delivery in the “post”-COVID-19 era while ensuring the safety of our patients, healthcare workers and staff.
Data Sources:Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles; task force, organizational and institutional, government and non-government organization recommendations; published guidelines from medical, health-related, and scientific organizations.
Methods:A comprehensive review of the literature on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertained to “post”-COVID 19 out-patient otorhinolaryngologic practice was obtained from peer-reviewed articles, guidelines, recommendations, and statements that were identified through a structured search of the data sources for relevant literature utilizing MEDLINE (through PubMed and PubMed Central PMC), Google (and Google Scholar), HERDIN Plus, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Library, and grey literature including social media (blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook). In-patient management (including ORL surgical procedures such as tracheostomy) were excluded. Retrieved material was critically appraised and organized according to five discussion themes: physical office set-up, patient processing, personal protection, procedures, and prevention and health-promotion.
Conclusion:These recommendations are consistent with the best available evidence to date, and are globally acceptable while being locally applicable. They address the concerns of otorhinolaryngologists and related specialists about resuming office practice during the “post”-COVID-19 period when strict quarantines are gradually lifted and a transition to the “new” normal is made despite the unavailability of a specific vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. While they target practice settings in the Philippines, they should be useful to ENT (ear, nose & throat) surgeons in other countries in ensuring a balance between service and safety as we continue to serve our patients during these challenging times.
- Full text:Otorhinolaryngology.pdf
