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Jukić M, Tokić P, Elezović Baloević S, Pogorelić Z. Challenges and Solutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Hospitalization and Performance in Elective Pediatric Surgeries. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1072. [PMID: 39064501 PMCID: PMC11279200 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60071072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most frequently performed elective pediatric surgical procedures and the number of hospitalizations and compare it to the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Materials and Methods: The subjects were patients under 18 years of age who were regularly admitted for selected elective procedures in a single tertiary center in Croatia from 1 March to 31 August of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Data were collected from the electronic logs of surgical procedures and hospital admissions, logs of one-day surgeries, patients' medical records, and discharge letters. The primary outcome of this study was to determine the evolution of the number of elective surgical procedures before, during, and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic; also, we aimed to confirm and objectify global data and statements about the decrease in the number of hospital admissions and surgical procedures. Secondary outcome measures included the length of hospitalization, the number and types of complications, and readmissions. Results: In 2020, the number of elective procedures decreased by 28.3% and the number of hospitalizations decreased by 36.2%; in 2021, the number of elective procedures decreased by 30.8% and the number of hospitalizations decreased by 14.2% compared to the pre-pandemic period (2019). In 2022, there was a 22.8% increase in elective procedures and a 2.9% decrease in hospitalizations compared to 2019. No statistical difference was found in the rates of complications between the individual years studied in terms of complications (p = 0.869). Conclusions: The number of elective procedures and hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic period. After the healthcare system adapted to the conditions of the pandemic, the number of elective procedures increased significantly despite COVID-19, while the number of hospitalizations remained approximately the same as before the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miro Jukić
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
| | - Petra Tokić
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
| | | | - Zenon Pogorelić
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
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Lim AWY, Leong CT, Salowi MA, Lim YMF, Wong WJ, Hwong WY. Trends in cataract surgery and healthcare system response during the COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia: Lessons to be learned. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2024; 7:100469. [PMID: 38323125 PMCID: PMC10844644 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Elective surgeries were suspended during the national lockdown in March 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. We sought to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on cataract surgeries and suggest lessons for future outbreaks. Study design We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to examine rates of cataract surgery before and during the lockdown. Methods We used national cataract surgical data between 2015 and 2021 from the Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry. Segmented regression with a seasonally adjusted Poisson model was used for the analysis. Stratified analyses were performed to establish whether the effect of the lockdown on cataract surgeries varied by hospital designation, type of cataract service, sex, and age groups. Results Cataract surgeries began falling in March 2020 at the onset of the lockdown, reached a trough in April 2020, and subsequently increased but never recovered to pre-lockdown levels. Cataract surgical rates in December 2021 were still 43 % below the expected surgical volume, equivalent to 2513 lost cataract surgeries. There was no evidence of a differential effect of the lockdown between COVID-19 designated and non-COVID-19 designated hospitals. The relative decrease in cataract surgical rates appears to have been greatest in outreach services and in people 40 years and older. Conclusions The lockdown caused an immediate reduction in cataract surgical rates to nearly half of its baseline rate. Despite its gradual recovery, further delays remain to be expected should there be no redistribution or increase in resources to support backlogs and incoming new cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Wei-Yin Lim
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chin Tho Leong
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Aziz Salowi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Selayang Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Mei Fong Lim
- Centre for Clinical Care and Outcomes Research, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wen Jun Wong
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wen Yea Hwong
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Amado V, Trott S, Möller J, Couto MT, Wallis L, Laflamme L. Changing patterns in the burden of paediatric injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study in Mozambique's central hospitals. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1071. [PMID: 37803444 PMCID: PMC10559493 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10073-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a substantial body of knowledge on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on injuries showing frequent but inconsistent reductions in both volume and pattern. Yet, studies specifically addressing children are less common, not least from low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated whether changes in the pattern and outcome of paediatric injury admissions to Mozambique's four regional referral hospitals during 2020. METHODS Clinical charts of paediatric patients presenting to the targeted hospitals with acute injuries were reviewed using a set of child, injury, and outcome characteristics during each of two consecutive restriction periods in 2020 using as a comparator the same periods in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Differences between 2020 and 2019 proportions for any characteristic were examined using the t-test (significance level 0.05). RESULTS During both restriction periods, compared with the previous year, reductions in the number of injuries were noticed in nearly all aspects investigated, albeit more remarkably during the first restriction period, in particular, greater proportions of injuries in the home setting and from burns (7.2% and 11.5% respectively) and a reduced one of discharged patients (by 2.5%). CONCLUSION During the restrictions implemented to contend the pandemic in Mozambique in 2020, although each restriction period saw a drop in the volume of injury admissions at central hospitals, the pattern of child, injury and outcome characteristics did not change much, except for an excess of home and burn injuries in the first, more restrictive period. Whether this reflects the nature of the restrictions only or, rather, other mechanisms that came into play, individual or health systems related, remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanda Amado
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Widerströmska Huset, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.
- Maputo Central Hospital, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Sebastien Trott
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jette Möller
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Widerströmska Huset, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Tereza Couto
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
- Mozambique Medical Council Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Lee Wallis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucie Laflamme
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Widerströmska Huset, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Yap A, Olatunji BT, Negash S, Mweru D, Kisembo S, Masumbuko F, Ameh EA, Lebbie A, Bvulani B, Hansen E, Philipo GS, Carroll M, Hsu PJ, Bryce E, Cheung M, Fedatto M, Laverde R, Ozgediz D. Out-of-pocket costs and catastrophic healthcare expenditure for families of children requiring surgery in sub-Saharan Africa. Surgery 2023; 174:567-573. [PMID: 37385869 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket healthcare costs leading to catastrophic healthcare expenditure pose a financial threat for families of children undergoing surgery in Sub-Saharan African countries, where universal healthcare coverage is often insufficient. METHODS A prospective clinical and socioeconomic data collection tool was used in African hospitals with dedicated pediatric operating rooms installed philanthropically. Clinical data were collected via chart review and socioeconomic data from families. The primary indicator of economic burden was the proportion of families with catastrophic healthcare expenditures. Secondary indicators included the percentage who borrowed money, sold possessions, forfeited wages, and lost a job secondary to their child's surgery. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of catastrophic healthcare expenditure. RESULTS In all, 2,296 families of pediatric surgical patients from 6 countries were included. The median annual income was $1,000 (interquartile range 308-2,563), whereas the median out-of-pocket cost was $60 (interquartile range 26-174). Overall, 39.9% (n = 915) families incurred catastrophic healthcare expenditure, 23.3% (n = 533) borrowed money, 3.8% (n = 88%) sold possessions, 26.4% (n = 604) forfeited wages, and 2.3% (n = 52) lost a job because of the child's surgery. Catastrophic healthcare expenditure was associated with older age, emergency cases, need for transfusion, reoperation, antibiotics, and longer length of stay, whereas the subgroup analysis found insurance to be protective (odds ratio 0.22, P = .002). CONCLUSION A full 40% of families of children in sub-Saharan Africa who undergo surgery incur catastrophic healthcare expenditure, shouldering economic consequences such as forfeited wages and debt. Intensive resource utilization and reduced insurance coverage in older children may contribute to a higher likelihood of catastrophic healthcare expenditure and can be insurance targets for policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Yap
- Center of Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
| | | | - Samuel Negash
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Menelik II Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dilon Mweru
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Bethesda, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Steve Kisembo
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Bethesda, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Franck Masumbuko
- Department of Surgery, Hôpital Provincial Général de Reférence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Emmanuel A Ameh
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Aiah Lebbie
- Department of Surgery, Connaught Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Bruce Bvulani
- Department of Surgery, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Eric Hansen
- Department of Surgery, Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya
| | | | - Madeleine Carroll
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Phillip J Hsu
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Emma Bryce
- Kids Operating Room, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Maija Cheung
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Maira Fedatto
- Kids Operating Room, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Laverde
- Center of Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Doruk Ozgediz
- Center of Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Amado V, Moller J, Couto MT, Wallis L, Laflamme L. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department attendances for pediatric injuries in Mozambique's central hospitals: an interrupted time series and a comparison within the restriction periods between 2019 and 2020. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2023; 8:e001062. [PMID: 37484836 PMCID: PMC10350904 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2022-001062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Hospital-based studies indicate that restriction measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the number and characteristics of pediatric injuries. However, few studies have been conducted in resource-poor countries. This study aimed to determine whether injury-related emergency department (ED) attendances in Mozambique were affected during the restriction periods in 2020 and how the pattern of injury changed. Methods Mozambique faced two restriction periods in 2020. An interrupted time series was applied to weekly data of pediatric injuries from the ED records of four central hospitals in Mozambique in 2019 and 2020. Weekly numbers of injuries were modeled using a Poisson regression model to estimate the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on trends over calendar time. Then, for each restriction period, differences in injury mechanisms, severity, need for surgery, and intensive care unit (ICU) attendances were compared between 2019 and 2020. Results During the 76 weeks preceding the restrictions, there was a stable trend in ED attendances. The weekly number dropped by 48.7% after implementation of the first restrictions. By the end of 2020, the weekly numbers were back to the levels observed before the restrictions. Road traffic injuries (RTIs) and falls dropped during the first restriction period and RTIs and burns during the second. There was an increase of 80% in ICU attendances in all periods of 2020 at three hospitals during the first and second restriction periods. Conclusion The COVID-19 restrictions yielded a reduction in the weekly number of pediatric injuries seen at Mozambique's central hospitals, above all RTIs and falls. The drop reflects reductions in visits most importantly for RTIs, falls, and burns, but was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of ICU cases. This effect was not maintained when the restrictions were relaxed. Whether this reflects reduced exposure to injury or hesitancy to seek care remains to be determined. Level of evidence Level III, retrospective study with up to two negative criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanda Amado
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, University of Eduardo Mondlane Faculty of Medicine, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Jette Moller
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Tereza Couto
- Department of Community Health, University of Eduardo Mondlane Faculty of Medicine, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Lee Wallis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucie Laflamme
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Mazingi D, Shinondo P, Ihediwa G, Ford K, Ademuyiwa A, Lakhoo K. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric surgical volumes in Africa: A retrospective observational study. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:275-281. [PMID: 36404186 PMCID: PMC9618459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the impact that COVID-19 had on the pattern and trend of surgical volumes, urgency and reason for surgery during the first 6 months of the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS This retrospective facility-based study involved collection of paediatric operation data from operating theatre records across 5 hospitals from 3 countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nigeria over the first half of 2019 and 2020 for comparison. Data concerning diagnosis, procedure, anaesthesia, grade, speciality, NCEPOD classification and indication was collected. The respective dates of enactment of cancellation policies in each country were used to compare changes in weekly median surgical case volume before cancellation using the Wilcoxon Sign-Rank Test. RESULTS A total of 1821 procedures were recorded over the study period. Surgical volumes experienced a precipitous drop overall from a median of 100 cases/week to 50 cases/week coinciding with cancellation of surgical electives. Median accumulated weekly procedures before COVID-related cancellation were significantly different from those after cancellation (p = 0.027). Emergency surgery fell by 23.3% while electives fell by 78,9% (P = 0.042). The most common primary indication for surgery was injury which experienced a 30.5% drop in number of procedures, only exceeded by congenital surgery which dropped 34.7%. CONCLUSIONS The effects of surgical cancellations during the covid-19 pandemic are particularly devastating in African countries where the unmet need and surgical caseload are high. Continued cancellations that have since occurred will cause similar drops in surgical case volume that these health systems may not have the resilience to recover from. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Mazingi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - George Ihediwa
- Paediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Kathryn Ford
- Department of Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Adesoji Ademuyiwa
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kokila Lakhoo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK,Department of Paediatric Surgery, Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania
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El Salih I, Njuguna FM, Widjajanto PH, Kaspers G, Bailey A, Mostert S. Impact of COVID-19 measures on the health and healthcare of children in East-Africa: Scoping review. Int J Health Plann Manage 2023; 38:579-598. [PMID: 36691260 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is of grave concern. As scientific data is being collected about the nature of COVID-19, government leaders and policy makers are challenged. They might feel pressured to take strong measures to stop virus spread. However, decisions could cause more harm than do good. This study maps all existing literature regarding the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on the health and healthcare of children in East-Africa. METHODS This scoping review follows Population Concept Context guidelines of Arksey and O'Malley and PRISMA 2020 checklist. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched. All peer-reviewed literature published in English between January 2020 and October 2022 was considered. Initial screening of titles and abstracts was undertaken independently by two reviewers, with a third available in case of doubt. This was followed by full-text screening involving two independent reviewers. RESULTS In total, 70 studies were included. Eight containment measures affecting children's health and healthcare were distinguished: lockdowns, school closures, physical distancing, travel restrictions, business closures, stay-at-home orders, curfews, quarantine measures with contact tracing. The consensus in the studies is that containment measures could minimise COVID-19 spread but have adverse indirect effects on children in East-Africa. Seven indirect effects were distinguished: economic damage, limited education access, food insecurity, child abuse, limited healthcare access, disrupted health-programs, and mental health challenges. CONCLUSION Government leaders and policy makers should take adverse indirect effects of COVID-19 measures into account, particularly in resource-limited regions such as East-Africa, apply a holistic approach, and strengthen socioeconomic and health-systems to protect the most vulnerable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim El Salih
- International Development Studies, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Festus Muigai Njuguna
- Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Pudjo Hagung Widjajanto
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dr Sardjito General Hospital, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Gertjan Kaspers
- Emma's Children Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ajay Bailey
- International Development Studies, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Mostert
- Emma's Children Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Laverde R, Majekodunmi O, Park P, Udeigwe-Okeke CR, Yap A, Klazura G, Ukwu N, Bryce E, Ozgediz D, Ameh EA. Impact of new dedicated pediatric operating rooms on surgical volume in Africa: Evidence from Nigeria. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:161-166. [PMID: 36289035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a large unmet children's surgical need in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examines the impact of installing dedicated pediatric operating rooms (ORs) on surgical volume at National Hospital Abuja, a hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. METHODS A Non-Governmental Organization installed two pediatric ORs in August 2019. We assessed changes in volume from July 2018 to September 2021 using interrupted time series analysis. RESULTS Total surgical volume increased by 13 cases (p = 0.01) in 1-month post-installation, with elective operations making up 85% (p = 0.02) of cases. There was an increase in elective volume by about 1 case per month (p = 0.01) post-installation and the difference between pre-and post-trends was 1.23 cases per month (p = 0.009). The baseline volume of neonatal surgeries increased by 9 cases per month (p < 0.001) post-installation and this difference between pre- and post-trends was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Similarly, one-month post-installation, the cases classified as ASA class >2 increased by 14 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between pre-and post-installation mortality rate at about 2% per month. CONCLUSIONS There were significant changes in surgical volume after OR installation, primarily composed of elective operations, reflecting an increased capacity to address surgical backlogs and/or perform more specialized surgeries. Despite a significant increase in volume and higher ASA class, there was no significant difference in mortality. This study supports the installation of surgical infrastructure in LMICs to strengthen capacity without increasing postoperative mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Laverde
- School of Medicine, University of California, 513 Parnassus Ave, Suite S-224, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California, 550 16th St, 3rd Floor, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Olubumni Majekodunmi
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital, PO Box 187, FCT, Abuja, Garki, Nigeria
| | - Paul Park
- School of Medicine, University of California, 513 Parnassus Ave, Suite S-224, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California, 550 16th St, 3rd Floor, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Chisom R Udeigwe-Okeke
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital, PO Box 187, FCT, Abuja, Garki, Nigeria
| | - Ava Yap
- Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California, 550 16th St, 3rd Floor, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, S-321, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Greg Klazura
- Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California, 550 16th St, 3rd Floor, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nancy Ukwu
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital, PO Box 187, FCT, Abuja, Garki, Nigeria
| | - Emma Bryce
- Kids Operating Room, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Doruk Ozgediz
- Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia, University of California, 550 16th St, 3rd Floor, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Division of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital, PO Box 187, FCT, Abuja, Garki, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel A Ameh
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, National Hospital, PO Box 187, FCT, Abuja, Garki, Nigeria
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de Graaff MR, Hogenbirk RNM, Janssen YF, Elfrink AKE, Liem RSL, Nienhuijs SW, de Vries JPPM, Elshof JW, Verdaasdonk E, Melenhorst J, van Westreenen HL, Besselink MGH, Ruurda JP, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Klaase JM, den Dulk M, van Heijl M, Hegeman JH, Braun J, Voeten DM, Würdemann FS, Warps ALK, Alberga AJ, Suurmeijer JA, Akpinar EO, Wolfhagen N, van den Boom AL, Bolster-van Eenennaam MJ, van Duijvendijk P, Heineman DJ, Wouters MWJM, Kruijff S, Koningswoud-Terhoeve CL, Belt E, van der Hoeven JAB, Marres GMH, Tozzi F, von Meyenfeldt EM, Coebergh RRJ, van den Braak, Huisman S, Rijken AM, Balm R, Daams F, Dickhoff C, Eshuis WJ, Gisbertz SS, Zandbergen HR, Hartemink KJ, Keessen SA, Kok NFM, Kuhlmann KFD, van Sandick JW, Veenhof AA, Wals A, van Diepen MS, Schoonderwoerd L, Stevens CT, Susa D, Bendermacher BLW, Olofsen N, van Himbeeck M, de Hingh IHJT, Janssen HJB, Luyer MDP, Nieuwenhuijzen GAP, Ramaekers M, Stacie R, Talsma AK, Tissink MW, Dolmans D, Berendsen R, Heisterkamp J, Jansen WA, de Kort-van Oudheusden M, Matthijsen RM, Grünhagen DJ, Lagarde SM, Maat APWM, van der Sluis PC, Waalboer RB, Brehm V, van Brussel JP, Morak M, Ponfoort ED, Sybrandy JEM, Klemm PL, Lastdrager W, Palamba HW, van Aalten SM, Tseng LNL, van der Bogt KEA, de Jong WJ, Oosterhuis JWA, Tummers Q, van der Wilden GM, Ooms S, Pasveer EH, Veger HTC, Molegraafb MJ, Nieuwenhuijs VB, Patijn GA, van der Veldt MEV, Boersma D, van Haelst STW, van Koeverden ID, Rots ML, Bonsing BA, Michiels N, Bijlstra OD, Braun J, Broekhuis D, Brummelaar HW, Hartgrink HH, Metselaar A, Mieog JSD, Schipper IB, de Steur WO, Fioole B, Terlouw EC, Biesmans C, Bosmans JWAM, Bouwense SAW, Clermonts SHEM, Coolsen MME, Mees BME, Schurink GWH, Duijff JW, van Gent T, de Nes LCF, Toonen D, Beverwijk MJ, van den Hoed E, Keizers B, Kelder W, Keller BPJA, Pultrum BB, van Rosum E, Wijma AG, van den Broek F, Leclercq WKG, Loos MJA, Sijmons JML, Vaes RHD, Vancoillie PJ, Consten ECJ, Jongen JMJ, Verheijen PM, van Weel V, Arts CHP, Jonker J, Murrmann-Boonstra G, Pierie JPEN, Swart J, van Duyn EB, Geelkerken RH, de Groot R, Moekotte NL, Stam A, Voshaar A, van Acker GJD, Bulder RMA, Swank DJ, Pereboom ITA, Hoffmann WH, Orsini M, Blok JJ, Lardenoije JHP, Reijne MMPJ, van Schaik P, Smeets L, van Sterkenburg SMM, Harlaar NJ, Mekke S, Verhaakt T, Cancrinus E, van Lammeren GW, Molenaar IQ, van Santvoort HC, Vos AWF, Schouten- van der Velden AP, Woensdregt K, Mooy-Vermaat SP, Scharn DM, Marsman HA, Rassam F, Halfwerk FR, Andela AJ, Buis CI, van Dam GM, ten Duis K, van Etten B, Lases L, Meerdink M, de Meijer VE, Pranger B, Ruiter S, Rurenga M, Wiersma A, Wijsmuller AR, Albers KI, van den Boezem PB, Klarenbeek B, van der Kolk BM, van Laarhoven CJHM, Matthée E, Peters N, Rosman C, Schroen AMA, Stommel MWJ, Verhagen AFTM, van der Vijver R, Warlé MC, de Wilt JHW, van den Berg JW, Bloemert T, de Borst GJ, van Hattum EH, Hazenberg CEVB, van Herwaarden JA, van Hillegerberg R, Kroese TE, Petri BJ, Toorop RJ, Aarts F, Janssen RJL, Janssen-Maessen SHP, Kool M, Verberght H, Moes DE, Smit JW, Wiersema AM, Vierhout BP, de Vos B, den Boer FC, Dekker NAM, Botman JMJ, van Det MJ, Folbert EC, de Jong E, Koenen JC, Kouwenhoven EA, Masselink I, Navis LH, Belgers HJ, Sosef MN, Stoot JHMB. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical care in the Netherlands. Br J Surg 2022; 109:1282-1292. [PMID: 36811624 PMCID: PMC10364688 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption of regular healthcare leading to reduced hospital attendances, repurposing of surgical facilities, and cancellation of cancer screening programmes. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on surgical care in the Netherlands. METHODS A nationwide study was conducted in collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing. Eight surgical audits were expanded with items regarding alterations in scheduling and treatment plans. Data on procedures performed in 2020 were compared with those from a historical cohort (2018-2019). Endpoints included total numbers of procedures performed and altered treatment plans. Secondary endpoints included complication, readmission, and mortality rates. RESULTS Some 12 154 procedures were performed in participating hospitals in 2020, representing a decrease of 13.6 per cent compared with 2018-2019. The largest reduction (29.2 per cent) was for non-cancer procedures during the first COVID-19 wave. Surgical treatment was postponed for 9.6 per cent of patients. Alterations in surgical treatment plans were observed in 1.7 per cent. Time from diagnosis to surgery decreased (to 28 days in 2020, from 34 days in 2019 and 36 days in 2018; P < 0.001). For cancer-related procedures, duration of hospital stay decreased (5 versus 6 days; P < 0.001). Audit-specific complications, readmission, and mortality rates were unchanged, but ICU admissions decreased (16.5 versus 16.8 per cent; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The reduction in the number of surgical operations was greatest for those without cancer. Where surgery was undertaken, it appeared to be delivered safely, with similar complication and mortality rates, fewer admissions to ICU, and a shorter hospital stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R de Graaff
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.,Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Gelre Ziekenhuizen, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
| | - Rianne N M Hogenbirk
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yester F Janssen
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arthur K E Elfrink
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald S L Liem
- Department of Surgery, Dutch Obesity Clinic, Gouda, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, the Netherlands
| | - Simon W Nienhuijs
- Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jan-Willem Elshof
- Department of Surgery, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, the Netherlands
| | - Emiel Verdaasdonk
- Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Jarno Melenhorst
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marc G H Besselink
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jelle P Ruurda
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Joost M Klaase
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel den Dulk
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark van Heijl
- Department of Surgery, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H Hegeman
- Department of Surgery, Ziekenhuisgroep Twente Almelo-Hengelo, Almelo, Hengelo, the Netherlands
| | - Jerry Braun
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Daan M Voeten
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Franka S Würdemann
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anne-Loes K Warps
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anna J Alberga
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Annelie Suurmeijer
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erman O Akpinar
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nienke Wolfhagen
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - David J Heineman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michel W J M Wouters
- Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing, Scientific Bureau, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Schelto Kruijff
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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