Patients Opt For Elective Surgeries As COVID Cases Decline.

Introduction: Elective Surgeries Post Covid

The COVID-19 pandemic ended putting a burden on our health-care system. And front-line healthcare personnel are quickly shifting their roles to meet hospital demands. Talking of elective surgeries post covid, surgeons saw one of the most significant shifts in their professions, with the number of elective procedures quickly dropping in an effort to reduce the Corona virus transmission.

People earlier postponed elective procedures owing to the pandemic. However, the number of COVID cases now see a gradual decline in metro cities in India. So they are now pouring into hospitals, choosing not to postpone them any longer. Thus elective surgeries post covid is on the rise.

Taking the COVID scenario in Bangalore into account, a change in the behaviour of patients is noticeable. Hospitals are seeing high footfall of patients for Lasik surgeries, hernia treatment, gall bladder, bariatric surgery, and other benign illnesses. They are gradually losing their dread of contracting the virus.

But, according to Dr Hemendra Singh, neurosurgeon, M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, the delay in various elective surgeries are causing complications in the health of many patients. This is, in turn, increasing the severity of the conditions. This is also increasing the burden for doctors and other health care workers. They now have to deal with these conditions in their advanced stages.

“Doctors in the city have also come across increased number of cases where patients sought urgent medical attention for hernia after vomiting and experiencing extreme stomach discomfort,” Dr Singh adds.

Meanwhile, Dr Shashikiran BD, a Medfin expert and a consultant surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, quoted: “Given the circumstances, we must not only concentrate on the short-term objective of treating COVID-19 patients, but also those with non-COVID related chronic health problems.”

Following safety protocols is a must

In order to facilitate medical treatment for health problems, other than COVID, maintaining safety protocols is a must. It is also a must to carry out elective surgeries. Talking about this, Dr Shashikiran said: “Every nook and corner of the hospitals are sanitized at regular intervals. Before the patient is in, the operating rooms are cold so that the procedure may be performed with little air conditioning.”

He also added about the doctors getting exposure to the patients as little as possible. There’s minimization of spillage to the greatest degree feasible.

Considering the containment of the virus, Bangalore hospitals are avoiding admissions for a long period of time. Walk-in patients, emergency surgeries, outpatient emergencies and day care procedures are the most common provided services. In case of elective surgeries, the patient remains for only a brief period of time after the procedure.

COVID test before surgery

Hospitals are committing to the safety of patients, faculty and staff. Care teams in hospitals ensure the patients having limited risk of exposure to COVID-19 during their stay.

Stressing on the need to avoid spread of COVID, Dr Shashikiran also quoted: “One way we limit your risk of exposure is by providing COVID-19 testing to all patients before a scheduled surgery, procedure or hospital admission. COVID-19 testing gives us important information to ensure we can keep you and all of our patients and staff safe.”

Teleconsultations are a need of the present

Teleconsultations have become an essential tool for mediating contact between medical practitioners and patients in basic health care. The effectiveness of doctor-patient communication is a critical element in improving treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. To avoid the transmission of the virus, follow ups after various surgeries are also done with the help of teleconsultations.

“Tele-consultations are a safe and effective approach to examine health problems and assist the diagnosis and treatment of patients while reducing the danger of COVID transmission. Follow ups are also being done with the help of teleconsultations. Many critical clinical services can continue to operate on a regular and continuous basis as a result of these tele-consultations, both in preparation for and during a health emergency,” Dr Singh asserted.

The current pandemic has caused significant strain on medical centers resources. Because of this there is need to provide diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and follow-ups during the pandemic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically and quickly altered how medical practitioners provide care to patients. Medical centers are now responding to COVID-19 through rapid adoption of digital tools and technologies such as telemedicine and virtual care.

While the fear of COVID transmission is still gripping the minds of people, many hospitals have developed safe sanitisation processes and safety measures that allow patients to be treated for non-emergency operations in a safe setting without further delaying their treatment.

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