2. Managing limited resources including staffing
It has been estimated that approximately a third of staff may be off at any one time as a result of COVID-19 and as such surgical teams need to plan appropriately for this potential reduction in workforce(6). Reduction in elective surgical procedures has the effect of reducing the number of inpatients in both general wards and intensive care units whilst freeing theatre space for increased ITU capacity where necessary. It also allows surgical staff to be of support to those in high-intensity areas such as intensive care units and allows for flexibility within the surgical teams to allow for the potential reduction in staff. Lastly, but very importantly, it reduces the risk of cross-infection of COVID from patients admitted to the hospital for elective procedures and from the hospital to the community setting. Where surgical procedures are required to proceed, they should be performed by a senior team in order to reduce the operating time and reduce the risk of complications to help with a reduction in the length of the post-operative admission (5).