Modifications to Hepatopancreatobiliary surgical services during COVID-19 partial lockdown in a hospital in northern Malaysia

Med J Malaysia. 2021 Sep;76(5):714-717.

Abstract

Maintaining hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) services during the initial phase of a pandemic in a state referral hospital for COVID-19 presents a few challenges, especially when a nationwide, government-issued partial lockdown is in enforcement. We describe the adaptations to our practice to maintain the services whilst ensuring safety of patients and staff, by postponing non-urgent clinic cases, grouping our staff to two mutually exclusive teams that work on alternate shifts and selecting HPB operative cases according to the modified Risk Urgency Decision Matrix.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • SARS-CoV-2