Context
The rapidly unfolding COVID-19 pandemic requires the rapid identification and implementation of large scale action. Through a systematic mapping review of published policies and guidelines we aim to examine current recommendations relevant to orthopaedic management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through constantly updated, critical review, we aimed to put forth evidence-based principles to guide musculoskeletal (MSK) care in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Topics
Key Directives
| Keep up-to-date on evolving clinical guidelines and local capacity issues relative to pandemic severity | |
| Prevent unnecessary PPE use, and have contingency plans for shortages | |
| Surgical activity should be based on projected pandemic severity and health system capacity | |
| Consider only proceeding with urgent or emergent surgical cases while postponing elective surgery | |
| Only perform interventions with documented superior treatment effects over non-operative management. | |
| Discuss semi urgent/controversial cases among your team before determining definitive management. | |
| Prevent unnecessary follow-up/clinic visits. | |
