Backlog to Surgery due to COVID-19 and Considerations to Address to Catch-up Safely

Authors

  • Amy Lewis Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8616-2411
  • Benjamin Polatidis Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Evi Charitou Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Anna Karapatsia Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Anne Ahlmann Nielsen Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Christian Bjerregaard Olesen Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Athanasios Apostolos Gargavanis World Health Organization, OPT, Emergency Care Technical Officer, Jerusalem, Israel.
  • Sara Halimah World Health Organization, OPT, Emergency Care Technical Officer, Jerusalem, Israel.
  • Georgios Ioannis Tsianos Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Doros Polydorou Steris, Rutherford House, Stephenson’s Way, Derby, DE21 6LY, United Kingdom.
  • Katharine Holt Steris, Rutherford House, Stephenson’s Way, Derby, DE21 6LY, United Kingdom.
  • Marinela Cebic Steris, Rutherford House, Stephenson’s Way, Derby, DE21 6LY, United Kingdom.
  • Efstathios Vassiliadis Evnia, Copenhagen Business Centre, Hellerup Strandvejen 60, DK-2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Abstract

On March 11th 2020, COVID-19 met all criteria to be considered a pandemic. The resulting halt in surgery led to an estimated 28.4 million elective surgery cancellations around the globe. Figures suggest that the backlog to surgery may take years to clear, causing huge detrimental effects to both the economy and the health of patients. Addressing this surgical backlog, whilst ensuring the health and safety of healthcare professionals and patients during surgery, will require a multifaceted approach. Key aspects, such as providing a sufficient and stable supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adequate and efficient testing of healthcare staff and patients, and availability of post-acute care, need to be secured before surgery can recommence safely in this COVID-19 era.

How to cite this article:
Lewis A, Polatidis B, Karapatsia A, Charitou E, Nielsen AA, Olesen CB et al. Backlog to Surgery due to COVID-19 and Considerations to Address to Catch-up Safely. J Adv Res Med Sci Tech 2020; 7(3): 4-10.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2394.6539.202010

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Published

2020-10-08

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2020): Journal of Advanced Research in Medical Science and Technology

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2020 Journal of Advanced Research in Medical Science & Technology (ISSN: 2394-6539)

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