COVID-19 – Changes in Workload and Clinical Practice in Trauma and Orthopaedics in a District General Hospital in the United Kingdom
https://doi.org/10.5704/MOJ.2103.015
- Author:
Faria G
1
;
Virani S
1
;
Tadros BJ
1
;
Dhinsa BS
1
;
Reddy G
1
;
Relwani J
1
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedics, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford, United Kingdom
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19, response, trauma
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2021;15(No.1):100-104
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on
the entire health system. The trauma and orthopaedic service
has been compelled to alter working practices to respond
proactively and definitively to the crisis. The aim of this
study is to summarise the impact of this outbreak on the
trauma and orthopaedic workload and outline the response of
the department.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data
comparing patient numbers pre-COVID-19, and
prospectively during the early COVID-19 pandemic. We
have collected the numbers and nature of outpatient
orthopaedic attendances to fracture clinics and elective
services, inpatient admissions and the number of fracture
neck of femur operations performed.
Results: The number of outpatient attendances for a
musculoskeletal complaint to Accident and Emergency and
the number of virtual fracture clinic reviews reduced by
almost 50% during COVID-19. The number of face-to-face
fracture clinic follow-ups decreased by around 67%, with a
five-fold increase in telephone consultations. Inpatient
admissions decreased by 33%, but the average number of
fracture neck of femur operations performed has increased
by 20% during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19
levels.
Conclusion: We have noted a decrease in some aspects of
the trauma and orthopaedic outpatient workload, such as
leisure and occupational-related injuries but an increase in
others, such as fracture neck of femurs. Many injuries have
significantly reduced in numbers and we consider that a
model could be developed for treating these injuries away
from the acute hospital site entirely, thereby allowing the
acute team to focus more appropriate major trauma injuries.
- Full text:16.2021my1155.pdf
