Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025
The Use of Mixed Reality in Custom-Made Revision Hip Arthroplasty: A First Case Report
Published on: August 4, 2022
Locked down: Orthopaedic surgery in a regional health service during the COVID-19 pandemic
Thomas Page1, Margaret Rogers2, Kevin Eng1,3
1Orthopaedic Department of University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted elective orthopaedic surgery in Victoria, Australia. Planned procedures and waitlists fluctuated, highlighting the need for adaptable healthcare strategies.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- COVID-19 significantly disrupted healthcare access in Victoria, Australia.
- Hospitals deferred non-urgent operations to manage the pandemic.
- Elective orthopaedic surgery access was directly impacted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in orthopaedic procedures.
- To analyze elective surgery waitlist dynamics.
- To assess impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic in a regional Victorian health service.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from University Hospital Geelong (Victoria, Australia).
- Orthopaedic surgeries and waitlist numbers analyzed for FYE 2020-2023.
- Procedures categorized as planned vs. unplanned (trauma).
Main Results:
- Planned joint replacements decreased 19% in FYE 2022, then rose 66% in FYE 2023.
- Waitlists peaked at 786 in FYE 2022, falling to 390 in FYE 2023.
- Fracture procedures showed varied trends, with ankle/wrist increases exceeding 100% in FYE 2023.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused evident changes in planned orthopaedic procedures and waitlists.
- Findings offer insights for optimizing orthopaedic surgery provision during disruptions.
- Strategies are needed to manage future healthcare crises effectively.
Background:
COVID-19 affected access to healthcare. Victoria, Australia was heavily affected. Hospitals deferred non-urgent operations and preserved health resources to manage people with COVID-19. Elective orthopaedic surgery was directly impacted. This study investigated changes to orthopaedic procedures and the elective surgery waitlist during the COVID-19 at a large regional health service in Victoria.
Methods:
Data were acquired from University Hospital Geelong, a publicly funded regional health service in Victoria, Australia. Orthopaedic surgeries and waitlist numbers were collated for financial years ending (FYE) 2020-2023. Procedures were displayed as total, planned and unplanned (i.e., trauma).
Results:
From FYE 2020 to 2023 there was 8244 orthopaedic surgery cases with 8850 procedures. Planned joint replacements of knee, hip and shoulder decreased collectively by 19% in FYE 2022 and increased by 66% in FYE 2023. Waiting lists rose from 247 in FYE 2020 and peaked at 786 in FYE 2022, before falling to 390 in FYE 2023. The number of fractured neck of femur procedures were consistent each year (average 152/year), while ankle and wrist fractures declined by 55% and 43% during FYE 2022 and increased in FYE 2023 by 106% and 159% respectively.
Conclusion:
Changes to planned orthopaedic procedures and waitlists in a regional centre were evident throughout the pandemic. These results can help to inform strategies to optimize the provision of orthopaedic surgery during future major disruptive events.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
01:21Tertiary Healthcare System