Orthopaedics Practice in a Rural Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is one of the biggest public health challenges that we have faced, and has had a significant impact on the delivery of essential healthcare worldwide. Trauma and orthopaedic surgery was one of the most severely affected specialties as all non-emergency surgical cases were cancelled. With the possibility of future peak of corona virus, knowing the impact of Covid on orthopaedics would enable us to manage trauma patient in an effective manner and will help us to resume normal schedule of the trauma care.
 Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We studied the details of total number of patient at Orthopaedic and trauma outpatient, inpatient and operation theatre of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences from 14th March 2020 to 16 September 2020 as compared with the patient data from the same time period in 2019.
 Results: There were 2288 patients during the non-Covid period who visited to the orthopaedic outpatient in comparison to 1618 during Covid period. Only 5 implant removals were performed in comparison to 50 removals (90% reduction) in elective cases. But the number of surgical cases was almost similar (204 vs 207 respectively). Total number of hospital stay had significantly reduced in the non-COVID period (average 4 days vs 6 days). 
 Conclusions: There is reduction in number of orthopaedic and trauma cases during COVID 19 with marked reduction in number of elective cases. Alternative methods of treatment like telemedicine and small scale health camps at peripheral districts should be conducted to treat non-urgent orthopaedic conditions during lockdown.

Orthopedic Telemedicine Outpatient Practice Diagnoses Set during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown—Individual Observation

“…The reduced availability of specialized orthopedic care is making itself felt in society due to the pandemic, where many orthopedic patients are at substantial risk of severe disease from SARS-CoV-2. Rawal et al [33] described a significant decrease in inpatient visits at the outpatient clinic due to the COVID-19 pandemics. The number of teleconsultations increased significantly due to the strictest regulations for social distancing.…”