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Orthopaedics Practice in a Rural Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Mangal Rawal1, Tufan Singh Kathayat2, Poojan Kumar Rokaya2
1Department of Orthopkathayaedic and Trauma, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla, Nepal.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced orthopaedic and trauma patient numbers, especially for elective surgeries. This highlights the need for alternative treatments like telemedicine during public health crises.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Public Health
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare delivery.
- Trauma and orthopaedic surgery services were particularly affected by the cancellation of non-emergency procedures.
- Understanding the pandemic's impact on orthopaedics is crucial for managing future public health crises and resuming normal trauma care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic and trauma patient care.
- To compare patient data during the pandemic with pre-pandemic levels.
- To inform strategies for effective trauma patient management during health emergencies.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Patient data from orthopaedic outpatient, inpatient, and operation theatre at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences were analyzed.
- Data from March 14, 2020, to September 16, 2020, were compared with the same period in 2019.
Main Results:
- Orthopaedic outpatient visits decreased from 2288 (non-COVID) to 1618 (COVID period).
- Elective implant removals dropped by 90% (50 to 5), while overall surgical cases remained similar (207 vs 204).
- In-patient admissions decreased (241 vs 181), and average hospital stay reduced from 6 to 4 days.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in orthopaedic and trauma cases, with a significant decrease in elective procedures.
- Alternative treatment modalities, such as telemedicine and peripheral health camps, are recommended for non-urgent orthopaedic conditions during lockdowns.
- Effective management strategies are needed to mitigate the impact of pandemics on essential surgical services.
Introduction:
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is one of the biggest public health challenges that we have faced, and has had a significant impact on the delivery of essential healthcare worldwide. Trauma and orthopaedic surgery was one of the most severely affected specialties as all non-emergency surgical cases were cancelled. With the possibility of future peak of corona virus, knowing the impact of Covid on orthopaedics would enable us to manage trauma patient in an effective manner and will help us to resume normal schedule of the trauma care.
Methods:
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We studied the details of total number of patient at Orthopaedic and trauma outpatient, inpatient and operation theatre of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences from 14th March 2020 to 16 September 2020 as compared with the patient data from the same time period in 2019.
Results:
There were 2288 patients during the non-Covid period who visited to the orthopaedic outpatient in comparison to 1618 during Covid period. Only 5 implant removals were performed in comparison to 50 removals (90% reduction) in elective cases. But the number of surgical cases was almost similar (204 vs 207 respectively). Total number of hospital stay had significantly reduced in the non-COVID period (average 4 days vs 6 days).There were 181 in-patient admissions during the COVID period while 241 admission during the non-COVID period.
Conclusions:
There is reduction in number of orthopaedic and trauma cases during COVID 19 with marked reduction in number of elective cases. Alternative methods of treatment like telemedicine and small scale health camps at peripheral districts should be conducted to treat non-urgent orthopaedic conditions during lockdown.
