Contingency plan development proposal for a Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Objective: To describe the writing and implementing process of a contingency plan for a public healthcare Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Descriptive study of the writing and implementing process of a COVID-19 contingency plan at a Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Buenos Aires City Public Healthcare System, during the period between March 12 and April 20, 2020, when the public health emergency and yellow alert was declared in our environment amid the imminent possibility of a potentially exponential increase of COVID-19cases. Under the Pandemic Committee of Orthopedics and Traumatology supervision, the process was divided into 3 instances: planning, implementation, and control. Results: Data source: federal regulations, 17 international articles, 13 scientific association guidelines, and 17 articles of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven sectors were defined: 1) Hospitalization room; 2) Operating room; 3) Outpatient clinic; 4) Emergency Department; 5) Supplies; 6) Healthcare personnel control; 7) Education and research. Conclusion: We provide a writing and implementing process for the development of a contingency plan in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizing, training and protecting yourselves as a team constitutes the plan fundamental pillars. Level of Evidence: IVDownloads
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