Work

Reflections on the implementation of an acute general surgical COVID ‐19 roster at North Shore Hospital, Auckland – a prospective observational study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nearly 5 years after the arrival of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New Zealand (NZ), many lessons have been learned. At North Shore Hospital (NSH) in Auckland, NZ, a general surgical COVID-19 Crisis Roster (CCR) was established for the first lockdown in 2020. This study summarizes the prospective monitoring of our CCR and offers a framework for adapting our roster for future pandemics. METHODS: A prospective observational review of all acute general surgical admissions (from 30 March 2020 to 26 April 2020) was performed and compared with admissions over the same period in 2019. RESULTS: A total of 443 patients were admitted to NSH during the CCR period compared with 552 patients in 2019 (-19.8%, P = 0.001). The rate of acute cholecystectomies increased (+54.5%, P = 0.002) whilst operations related to carbuncle/cyst excision (-83.3%, P < 0.02), endoscopy (-62.5%, P = 0.04), and surgical interventions for postoperative complications (-72.2%, P = 0.03) decreased. No significant differences in the rate of (re)admissions for postoperative complications or grade of complication were observed (P = 0.66). Within the context of no surgical team members contracting COVID-19, the cancellation of outpatient clinics, and elective operating lists, the CCR was deemed feasible and easy to implement. CONCLUSION: While patient safety was not compromised during the implementation of our pandemic roster, we advocate that our roster should be adapted and improved to include Māori health expertise, a prospective monitoring data expert committee and our nursing and allied health staff should we seek to use this CCR in future.

Source: ANZ Journal of Surgery

DOI: 10.1111/ans.19402

Authors: Jamie‐Lee Rahiri, Rebecca Teague, Teresa Holm, Jason Tuhoe, Jonathan Koea

Institutions: University of Auckland, North Shore Hospital, Health New Zealand

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 and healthcare impacts

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,920