TU3.4 A relook into the effects of Covid-19 on emergency theatre utilisation

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2020 we assessed changes in delivery of emergency surgeries due to the pandemic in a local district general hospital. Significant delays in emergency theatre utilisation were partly abrogated with the early introduction of a second emergency theatre so that Covidpositive, negative and unknown cases could be operated in series (and occasionally in parallel) with minimal disruption.AimsWe aimed to re-audit emergency theatre utilisation later on during the pandemic to assess the effects of having more established protocols and following recommendations from our first audit.MethodsRetrospective study of all emergency theatre cases performed during the month of July 2021 compared with previously presented November 2020. Parameters of theatre utilisation included: sending times, anaesthetic times, operating times, recovery time in theatre and total recovery timeResultsThe mean time taken to send for patients from wards decreased by 27% in late pandemic versus early (n=110 vs 111, p=1.25*10–7); this was also an improvement on pre-pandemic figures by 17%. Anaesthetic time decreased by 31% (p=0.0001, n=110 vs 111). Recovery time required in theatre decreased by 26% (p = 0.06, n=110 vs 111). Total recovery time however increased by 19% (p=0.097, n=110 vs 111).ConclusionImproved Covid testing and testing protocols have most likely had a positive impact on theatre utilisation by reducing sending times, anaesthetic times and recovery times in theatre.Increases in total recovery time are likely a by-product of increased elective work.