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).