Approaching 'Elective' Surgery in the Era of COVID-19
| Autor: | Michael J. Kessler, Philip C. Nelson, Stephen D. Lockey, Michael W. Kessler |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
COVID-19 Pandemic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Scapholunate Ligament Injury 030230 surgery Time-to-Treatment 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine The Hand Surgery Landscape Health care medicine Humans Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Elective surgery Deferral Distal Radius Malunion Ethics 030222 orthopedics business.industry COVID-19 Hand surgery Bioethics Wrist Injuries medicine.disease Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Elective Surgical Procedures Ligaments Articular Ambulatory Surgery Medical emergency Radius Fractures business Elective Surgical Procedure |
| Zdroj: | The Journal of Hand Surgery |
| ISSN: | 1531-6564 0363-5023 |
| Popis: | The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system. In order to meet capacity demands, hospitals around the world suspended surgeries deemed to be “elective.” In hand surgery, there are numerous pathologies treated on an elective basis, but a delay or absence of care may result in poorer outcomes. We present here an ethical framework for prioritizing elective surgery during a period of resource scarcity. Instead of using the term elective, we define procedures that can be safely delayed based on three considerations. First, a safe delay is only possible if deferral will not result in permanent injury. Second, a delay in care will come with tolerable costs and impositions that can be appropriately managed in the future. Third, a safe delay will preserve the bioethical principle of patient autonomy. In considering these criteria, three case examples are discussed taking into account individual patient characteristics and the pathophysiology of the condition. This framework design is applicable to ambulatory surgery in any period of crises that may strain resources, but further considerations may be important if an operation requires hospital admission. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
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