Abstract

LAAS, D J; FARINA, Z  and  BISHOP, D G. Effect of COVID-19 pandemic decisions on tertiary-level surgical services in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2021, vol.111, n.2, pp.120-123. ISSN 2078-5135.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/samj.2021.v111i2.15332.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of restrictive policies on theatre procedures, with profound impacts on service delivery and theatre output.OBJECTIVES: To quantify these effects at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.METHODS: A retrospective review of morbidity and mortality data was conducted. The effects on emergency and elective caseload, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions from theatre, theatre cancellations and regional techniques were noted.RESULTS: Theatre caseload decreased by 30% from January to April 2020 (p=0.02), ICU admissions remained constant, and theatre cancellations were proportionally reduced, as were the absolute number of regional techniques.CONCLUSIONS: The resulting theatre case deficit was 1 260 cases. It will take 315 days to clear this deficit if four additional surgeries are performed per day.

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