Abstract
BackgroundWith the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical systems and providers have been forced to undertake substantial changes to staffing structure, hospital policy, and surgical indications to remain able to care for patients and protect the providers. Here, we present a survey of orthopaedic trauma fellowship directors to assess when and what changes these individual units have made in order to cope with this global pandemic.MethodsThe survey was distributed via email to all 62 programs listed in the Orthopaedic Trauma Association web site.ResultsTwenty four responses were received. The majority of programs implemented changes between March 1st and 14th, with nearly all splitting teams into individual units, incorporating virtual sign out, and reducing the number of available, i.e. exposed, staff, fellows, and residents at any particular time.ConclusionsThese changes have been implemented in order to proactively maintain the functionality of these vital teams to patient care with no definite end point to this pandemic in sight. We hope this study provides other trauma centers and orthopaedic practices insight into possible precautions that can be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
Since its identification and spread throughout China in late 2019, COVID-19 has transformed into a global pandemic of catastrophic proportions [1,2]
We hope this study provides other trauma centers and orthopaedic practices insight into possible precautions that can be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Medical systems across the globe have seen a large influx of COVID-19 patients [3]
Summary
Since its identification and spread throughout China in late 2019, COVID-19 has transformed into a global pandemic of catastrophic proportions [1,2]. Medical systems across the globe have seen a large influx of COVID-19 patients [3] These patients threaten to overwhelm the existing hospital space and staff in many areas. This problem is compounded by a relatively high rate of infection among healthcare professionals in severely affected regions [4]. Emergent and urgent surgical procedures, continue to be a priority For this reason, orthopaedic trauma surgery teams have remained active [6]. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical systems and providers have been forced to undertake substantial changes to staffing structure, hospital policy, and surgical indications to remain able to care for patients and protect the providers. We present a survey of orthopaedic trauma fellowship directors to assess when and what changes these individual units have made in order to cope with this global pandemic
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