Impact of COVID-19 on hand surgery in Italy: A comparison between the Northern and the Southern regions

Publication Date

2020

Journal Title

Hand Surg Rehabil

Abstract

© 2020 The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency and elective hand surgery in four Italian regions that had either a high (Lombardy and Piemonte) or a low (Sicilia and Puglia) COVID-19 case load to discuss problems and to elaborate strategies to improve treatment pathways. A panel of hand surgeons from these different regions compared and discussed data from the centers they work in. The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on both elective and emergency surgery in Italy, not only in highly affected regions but also – and paradoxically even at a higher extent – in regions with a low COVID-19 case load. A durable and flexible redesign of hand surgery activities should be promoted, while changing and hopefully increasing human resources and enhancing administrative support. Telematics must also be implemented, especially for delivering rehabilitation therapy.

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty

Facility

School of Medicine

Primary Department

General Internal Medicine

Additional Departments

Science Education; COVID-19 Publications

PMID

33309793

DOI

10.1016/j.hansur.2020.11.005

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