Trauma transformed: A positive review of change during the COVID-19 pandemic

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2020 Jul;73(7):1357-1404. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.037. Epub 2020 May 22.

Abstract

Charles Moore in The Telegraph recently described the NHS as 'lumbering'.1 Far from this description, it has been our experience that the NHS has rapidly transformed across specialties in order to respond to the unprecedented global crisis of COVID-19. We describe here the multiple ways in which the plastic surgery trauma service at Salisbury District Hospital swiftly adapted over a two-week period in March 2020. Our aim is to deliver a tailored trauma service whilst adhering to the same high standards of patient care established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our view that many of these changes will be positive enduring practices for the future.

Keywords: COVID; Departmental transformation; Hand trauma; Standards of care.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration*
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures* / statistics & numerical data
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration
  • Trauma Centers / organization & administration*
  • Trauma Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • United Kingdom
  • Wounds and Injuries / diagnosis
  • Wounds and Injuries / surgery*
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy