Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
04:19

Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device

Published on: November 8, 2024

758

Orthopaedic trauma during COVID-19: Is patient care compromised during a pandemic?

Brian D Batko1, Jeremy Hreha1, James S Potter1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.

Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma
|May 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 safety protocols did not negatively impact orthopaedic trauma care. Implementing specific COVID tests, like Cepheid, reduced patient length of stay and hospital costs, demonstrating safe treatment during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated significant changes in healthcare delivery, particularly for urgent orthopaedic trauma cases.
  • Institutions adopted new safety and administrative protocols to manage patient care under these unprecedented circumstances.
  • The Rutgers Orthopaedic Trauma Patient Safety Protocol (ROTPSP) was implemented to guide treatment during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare outcomes between orthopaedic trauma patients treated during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID group) and a pre-pandemic control group (non-COVID).
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented safety measures, specifically the ROTPSP.
  • To identify risk factors for complications in fractures and COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review compared patients treated between March-May 2020 (COVID group) with those from the same period in 2018 (non-COVID group).
  • Key outcome measures included surgical site infections (SSI), length of stay (LOS), post-operative length of stay (poLOS), and presentation to operating room time (PORT).

Main Results:

  • The COVID cohort (148 patients) demonstrated significantly shorter average LOS, poLOS, and PORT compared to the non-COVID group (201 patients).
  • Surgical site infections were lower in the COVID group (5) versus the non-COVID group (14).
  • Patients receiving Cepheid COVID tests experienced significantly shorter LOS and poLOS, with the Cepheid test showing the best benefit-to-cost ratio.

Conclusions:

  • Restructured care protocols during COVID-19 did not adversely affect perioperative complication rates, PORT, or LOS for orthopaedic trauma patients.
  • The type of COVID test administered upon admission, specifically Cepheid, significantly influenced hospital course by reducing LOS and costs.
  • Effective safety protocols enable the continued safe treatment of orthopaedic trauma patients during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract

Keywords:
CepheidClinical outcomesOrthopaedic traumaPatient safety protocolsSurgical site infections

More Related Videos

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture05:42

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture

Published on: March 3, 2023

2.8K
Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner04:41

Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner

Published on: June 6, 2025

384

Related Concept Videos

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System01:29

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System

The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
5.9K
Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
4.2K
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care01:20

Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requires a collaborative healthcare approach to restore renal function and prevent complications. Essential management strategies involve monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting medications, initiating dialysis when necessary, and providing nutritional support.Fluid and Electrolyte ManagementFluid Monitoring: Regularly monitoring body weight, central venous pressure, and urine output helps detect fluid imbalances early. Patient intake and output are...
101
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
335
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management01:23

Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
90
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
72