Lockdown of an Orthopedic Department During COVID-19 Epidemics, Our Experience in a General Hospital

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors

Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The COVID-19 disease is rapidly spreading around the world, affecting many countries and their healthcare systems.
Like many other countries, Iran is struggling with the current situation. In this article, we aim to share our perspectives
on confronting obstacles mentioned above using appropriate hospital protocols during the COVID-19 crisis.
We investigated and compared the number of referred patients to the emergency room, elective, and emergent
orthopedic operations in our hospital, along with a number of residents and faculty participants in the morning reports
and virtual classes before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in our hospital.
The number of referred patients to the emergency room was significantly reduced; the number of orthopedic operations
was also decreased to almost zero in March 2020. Meanwhile, we managed to dismiss our residents and reduce
the number of in-hospital morning reports and conferences. Instead, we designed virtual classes, and the number of
participants in our virtual classes grew to almost two-third of the whole participant. We also managed to fortify our virtual
office system to reduce the number of in-hospital visits.
Since our hospital had become a leading center for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, and the number of referred
trauma patients, elective, and trauma operations, along with educational activities, was reduced. There was also a
significant concern about the management of elective, trauma, and post-operative patients in this era. Orthopedic
faculty members needed to react to the current situation cautiously. We were able to manage the situation with
consideration of our educational path, along with the management of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the
use of communication technologies and specific protocols to overcome the obstacles mentioned above. Yet involved
our staff and
With orthopedic faculties active involvement at in-hospital activitie and establishment of hospital protocols considering
technological facilities and WHO guidelines, we can improve education, management of PPE, and both orthopedic
elective and trauma patients.
Level of evidence: IV

Keywords

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 8, Supplement 1
April 2020
Pages 235-241

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 April 2020
  • Accept Date: 13 April 2020

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