Elective Surgery in the New Normal
The Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly curtailed industries all over the world, leaving significant and lasting effects on both essential and non-essential sectors alike.
Within the world of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, the pandemic has caused a massive disruption in our field, too, following the “No Elective Surgery” policy mandate throughout the quarantine period.
As hospitals shifted to COVID-19 treating centers, there was a general intention to withhold elective surgeries and outpatient consultations to lessen the spread of the disease. Most outpatient clinics closed indefinitely too, to prevent and mitigate such risks.
In this article, we will be looking at key industry trends vis-a-vis how PAPRAS and its doctors are navigating through the new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-Care and Aesthetic Procedures Amidst Quarantine
As lockdown and quarantine restrictions begin to loosen in various parts of the world, many clinicians and practitioners are slowly beginning to reopen their facilities, while keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 infection rate within their respective areas. Patients, too, are beginning to ponder whether this is a safe time to proceed with self-care and aesthetic procedures.
Surgical facilities and clinics are typically situated separately from medical hospitals or facilities that are being used to treat COVID-19 patients. Although this guarantees less risk for infection and COVID-19 positive patients, medical practitioners throughout the world have kept vigilant by reducing hours or ceasing operations temporarily following government orders.
However, according to the BBC, despite the lockdown, the demand for such procedures has increased throughout clinics in the US, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. Patients are taking advantage of remote work schemes to recover at their own pace and privacy at home - time that they would normally have to take off work in a pre-pandemic world.
On the other hand, for clinics whose doors remain shut, the pandemic has pushed them to find alternative means to continue serving clients’ needs, particularly by complimenting their traditional services with digital technologies such as Telehealth. To control the number of patients that are coming in and out of facilities, some doctors are offering online consultations through web conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
Safety Precautions in the New Normal
In the Philippines, the enhanced quarantine period (ECQ) provided us with an opportunity to shift our focus and attention on innovating, reassessing, and enhancing our protocols. In accordance with the World Health Organization, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, as well as the Department of Health, PAPRAS remains at the pulse of the situation to guarantee the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff moving forward.
We’ve outlined several changes to safety measures, which include the following:
Physical Renovations on Clinics and Operating Rooms
Keeping social distancing practices in mind, rearrangement, or renovations within clinical facilities have been implemented to make way for adequate social distancing spaces, proper ventilation, and hygienic trash disposal.
Furthermore, visual information and signages throughout facilities will also be useful in ensuring that adequate distance is maintained.
To promote good hand hygiene, increased facilities and stations (such as washbasins, 70% based alcohol or disinfectants, and the like) will be laid out in strategic and high-touch areas, such as hallways, door entrances, and restrooms. All staff and patients will be required to limit touching of surfaces as much as possible too, to avoid contamination.
Enhanced sanitization measures such as the use of chemicals and Ultraviolet surface disinfection methods in between clinical procedures and at the end of the day’s operations are also in place.
Reduced Facility Headcount
Clinics and surgical centers have also been asked to revisit the staff to patient ratio as well as enforce the pre-scheduling of all consultations and procedures.
Less footfall within each facility can help reduce the risk of infection and limit the potential spread of the virus.
COVID-19 Screening
Prior to any service, each patient is also required to undergo a COVID-19 screening.
Any staff or patient who is exhibiting symptoms will be refused entry in all facilities to safeguard the overall safety of the majority. Furthermore, suspected COVID-positive patients will be referred by the clinic’s physician to the nearest COVID-19 testing facility and are advised to self-isolate for fourteen (14) days before scheduling another consultation again.
Proper medical clearance or COVID-19 test results will be required after the 14-day period before the patient is allowed within the premises again.
Implementation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Different specialties and procedures have different risks of exposure to contamination and infection. Aside from the implementation of wearing face masks by both patients and staff members, we also urge the implementation of the appropriate use of PPEs.
The infographic below gives a detailed outline of our recommended PPE guidelines for both clinical staff and patients alike.
5. Transparency and Enhanced Communication
To instill trust and assure both clients and staff of the comprehensive measures that are being put in place, enhanced transparency and communications are essential in the new normal. Owners of clinics and facilities would greatly benefit to communicate their stringent measures and commitment to safeguarding every individual’s health and safety.
As we reimagine the future of the Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery sector, changes to safety measures, which adhere to both local and international health and safety standards will be key in ensuring that surgical facilities and clinics are kept COVID-19 free.
All of these will be essential in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff alike, and so long as these guidelines are diligently met, we feel that patients need not worry about proceeding with elective procedures.
Before booking a consultation, call up your clinic and speak to your doctors to ask them about what they’re doing in response to the crisis.