The estimated time to clear surgeries postponed in Ontario because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is 84 weeks, with a target of 717 surgeries per week, according to a new modeling study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
“The magnitude of the surgical backlog from COVID-19 raises important implications for planning for the recovery phase and for possible second waves of the pandemic in Ontario,” says Dr. Jonathan Irish, a surgeon at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, with coauthors.
In mid-March, the Ontario Ministry of Health directed Ontario hospitals to cancel elective surgeries and other non-emergency-related activities to help prepare for an anticipated surge in patients with COVID-19. On May 26, the directive was lifted, allowing hospitals to begin ramping up elective and time-sensitive surgeries.
In April 2020, there were 38% fewer cancer surgeries, 42% fewer cardiac surgeries, 94% fewer pediatric surgeries and 96% fewer miscellaneous adult surgeries compared with the previous April. Between March 15 and June 13, there was a backlog of 148,364 surgeries. It will take 84 weeks—more than 1 1/2 years—to complete these surgeries, with an estimated 14 weeks for time-sensitive surgeries (mainly cardiac, vascular and cancer surgeries) if resources are focused specifically on these procedures.
“This work shows the unprecedented magnitude of the secondary impact of COVID-19 on surgical care in Ontario,” the authors write.
The modeling approach may be used in other provinces and territories to help with recovery planning.
“To effectively manage this impact on more than 140,000 patients, health systems and surgical leaders cannot get back to business as usual, but rather must employ innovative system-based solutions to provide patients with timely surgical care and prepare for future COVID-19 waves,” the authors conclude.
An estimated 7,600 pediatric surgeries were postponed between mid-March and June, and an additional 4000 children’s surgeries could not be scheduled because of reduced access for surgical consultations, according to a related commentary.
Source: Read Full Article