Management of orthopedic patients during COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared on March 11, 2020, which led to the massive economic and social crisis in the world. Hospitals and healthcare systems faced the most changes during this time. As for any other medical departments, orthopedic departments were affected by this situation. Trauma and musculoskeletal injuries require emergency action or even operation which would not stop due to COVID-19 crisis. Special protocols and guidelines were used to minimize infection risks in Kashani educational trauma center. Here we explain the changes and protocols in the following sections: Outpatient-Clinic, emergency department, Operation room and Orthopedic Ward. These strategies included: reducing the number of admitted patients in clinics, changing the decoration of waiting rooms, screening the patients at the entrance and personal protection equipment for staff. We also dedicated special emergency rooms for patients suspicious to COVID-19 infection and also special operation rooms and corridor for patients with COVID-19 infection. Changes in discharging protocols and continuous consultations with infectious diseases specialists brought us the ability to manage these patients. Here in the present paper, we described different strategies of the management of patients in Kashani hospital during COVID-19 outbreak. We hope that our experience of patient's management could help other physicians and hospitals.