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
DOI
10.1016/j.hansur.2020.11.005