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Changes in organization of activity of hand surgery department during the COVID-19 pandemic
1Department of General and Hand Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland.
Insights
This study demonstrates effective measures implemented in a hand surgery department during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission among staff and patients. The department successfully managed 4150 patients while maintaining low infection rates.
Area of Science:
- Hand Surgery
- Infectious Disease Control
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global medical specialties, including hand surgery.
- Emergency hand surgery encompasses diverse injuries like fractures, nerve/tendon/vessel damage, and amputations, irrespective of pandemic phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present organizational changes in a hand surgery department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To detail modifications implemented to ensure patient and staff safety.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient data from April 2020 to March 2022.
- Documentation of organizational and procedural modifications within the hand surgery department.
Main Results:
- A total of 4150 patients were treated, with 2327 (56%) for acute injuries and 1823 (44%) for common hand diseases.
- Only 1% (41 patients) tested positive for COVID-19, with 19 having hand injuries and 32 hand disorders.
- One work-related COVID-19 infection occurred in the 6-person clinic team.
Conclusions:
- The implemented measures were effective in preventing coronavirus infection and transmission within the hand surgery department.
- The study highlights the successful adaptation of hand surgery services during the pandemic while maintaining safety protocols.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many medical specialties throughout the world, including hand surgery. Emergency hand surgery deals with a wide spectrum of injuries, including bone fractures, nerve, tendon and vessel cuts, complex injuries and amputations. These traumas occur independently to the phase of the pandemic. The objective of this study was presentation of changes in organization of activity of hand surgery department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modifications of the activity were described in details. Over a period of the pandemic (from April 2020 to March 2022), a total of 4150 patients were treated, in this number 2327 (56%) with acute injuries and 1823 (44%) with common hand diseases. Forty-one (1%) patients were diagnosed COVID-19 positive, 19 (46%) with hand injuries and 32 (54%) with hand disorders. One case of work-related COVID-19 infection was registered in the 6-people clinic team in analysed period. Results of this study show effectiveness of measures undertaken in the authors institution to prevent the coronavirus infection and viral transmission in hand surgery staff.
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