Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, leading to substantial changes in daily practices across various medical specialties, including orthopaedics. This study aimed to assess the pandemic's impact on orthopaedic practices across Europe. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among 136 orthopaedic surgeons from 19 European countries. Participants completed an online questionnaire focusing on changes in clinical and surgical activities due to COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and responses were presented as counts, percentages, or means. Results: The survey achieved a 75% response rate, with 102 participants from 84 institutions, including 59 public and 25 private hospitals. The pandemic disrupted routine orthopaedic activities, with 72.6% of institutions reducing surgical teams and 98% scaling down or halting elective procedures. Only 6% of institutions maintained outpatient services without interruption. Urgent surgical cases were treated in 93.2% of public institutions but in only 68% of private facilities. Approximately 49% of respondents or their colleagues were reassigned to manage COVID-19 patients, and 12 institutions established dedicated orthopaedic teams for COVID-19-positive patients. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was routinely used by 89.2% of healthcare personnel, though specific COVID-19 training was lacking in 27.4% of institutions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound disruptive effect on orthopaedic practices, highlighting the need for standardized guidelines, improved training for healthcare personnel, and the establishment of dedicated teams for COVID-19 patient care. As the pandemic evolves, adaptive measures are critical to ensure the safe continuation of orthopaedic services.
Disruptive Effect of COVID-19 on Orthopaedic Daily Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Ranuccio F.;Tarducci L.;Familiari F.;Mastroianni V.;
2020-01-01
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, leading to substantial changes in daily practices across various medical specialties, including orthopaedics. This study aimed to assess the pandemic's impact on orthopaedic practices across Europe. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among 136 orthopaedic surgeons from 19 European countries. Participants completed an online questionnaire focusing on changes in clinical and surgical activities due to COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and responses were presented as counts, percentages, or means. Results: The survey achieved a 75% response rate, with 102 participants from 84 institutions, including 59 public and 25 private hospitals. The pandemic disrupted routine orthopaedic activities, with 72.6% of institutions reducing surgical teams and 98% scaling down or halting elective procedures. Only 6% of institutions maintained outpatient services without interruption. Urgent surgical cases were treated in 93.2% of public institutions but in only 68% of private facilities. Approximately 49% of respondents or their colleagues were reassigned to manage COVID-19 patients, and 12 institutions established dedicated orthopaedic teams for COVID-19-positive patients. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was routinely used by 89.2% of healthcare personnel, though specific COVID-19 training was lacking in 27.4% of institutions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound disruptive effect on orthopaedic practices, highlighting the need for standardized guidelines, improved training for healthcare personnel, and the establishment of dedicated teams for COVID-19 patient care. As the pandemic evolves, adaptive measures are critical to ensure the safe continuation of orthopaedic services.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
