Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Our objective was to determine the incidence of post-operative COVID-19 infection within the first two weeks following treatment at the COVID-free site. During the COVID-19 pandemic our hospital saw one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the United Kingdom. As a result, our trauma services were relocated to a vacant private elective hospital to provide a ‘COVID-free’ setting for trauma patients. Patients admitted to the COVID-free site were screened for coronavirus infection and only treated at that site if asymptomatic. Those with symptoms were treated at the ‘COVID’ site.
Method
We collected data at the COVID-free site during the first seven weeks of its’ establishment. Inclusion criteria were all patients presenting for operative management of limb trauma; however, fragility hip fractures were excluded. All patients were screened for symptoms of COVID-19 infection at their 2-week follow-up appointment.
Results
72 patients presented to our service during the study period. The mean age was 34.9 years (21 to 89). 62 patients had general anaesthesia (86%), 7 patients had regional anaesthesia (10%) and 3 patients had local anaesthesia (4%). One asymptotic patient who was swabbed for COVID-19 on admission returned a positive result. This patient had contracted the infection before surgery and was excluded from further analysis. 71 patients (100%) remained asymptomatic at follow-up and none had required medical attention for suspected COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion
A ‘COVID-free’ trauma service was established in a private elective hospital during the pandemic. None of the patients undergoing urgent trauma surgery in this setting developed COVID-19 symptoms as a result of their hospital admission. Establishing a separate site with screening to avoid admission of patients with COVID-19 infection can allow safe emergency surgery. This data can support informed consent and reassure patients of their risks when we resume day case and elective surgery.
Declaration of Interest
(b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.
