key: cord-0896205-8ehmq2bb
authors: Tan, Yi Quan; Wu, Qing Hui; Chiong, Edmund
title: Preserving Operational Capability while Building Capacity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Tertiary Urology Centre's Experience
date: 2020-04-29
journal: Urology
DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2020.04.079
sha: d06fd4b1e5e89e08b7bf770c424c76d3b00f8960
doc_id: 896205
cord_uid: 8ehmq2bb

nan

To the Editor: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe, with the World Health Organisation declaring it a global health emergency on 30 January 2020. 1 As one of the countries earliest affected, Singapore reported its first imported case on 23 January. In the following 2 weeks, Singapore had the highest number of confirmed cases worldwide outside of China, with its national Disease Outbreak alert level raised in response to evidence of worsening local transmission.

We share our early COVID-19 experience on preserving operational capability while building capacity as our country transitioned from containment to mitigation strategies.

We restructured into 3 physically segregated teams to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination. The Challenges included maintaining staff morale with an uncertain duration of service disruption, and potential staff redeployment to frontline departments as part of broader national efforts.

Traditionally not prevalent in Urology, Teleconsultations are now in the limelight. 2 For hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, Teleconsultations were performed to reduce exposure of staff to COVID-19. 3 To preserve outpatient clinic capabilities, we expanded our Telephone Clinic to include patients with ureteric colic, surveillance scans for renal cysts and masses, and post 3 nephrectomy surveillance scans. This has shown strong potential to be continued even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

We reduced outpatient consultations and procedures by 15% and 40% in February and March respectively in anticipation of increased local transmission. In April, as part of stricter national containment efforts, only essential visits proceeded (20%). We observed close mentorship and valuable learning as Consultants and Residents meticulously reviewed each case electronically during the triage process. Challenges include managing the backlog of cases, finding alternative procedures for patients with obstructing stones, and oncological concerns over delays in biopsies.

Elective surgery was gradually reduced over 8 weeks. In March, short-stay semi-urgent surgeries could proceed to preserve service capability. In April, anticipating bed shortages, all surgeries were triaged according to Health Ministry directives, and urology-specific guidelines. [4] [5] Only oncological, transplant, and emergency operations proceeded. We reduced the number of elective surgeries by 35% and 80% in the months of March and April respectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented strains on global healthcare delivery systems in modern medical history. In our early experience, the relatively flat pandemic curve had allowed a stepwise response, with a balance of maintaining operational capability while creating capacity. On an optimistic note, we have been collectively asked to challenge the norm, demonstrate adaptability in the face of crisis, and review our traditional work processes. Together with Urologists worldwide, our team stands resolute in the face of rapidly changing operational circumstances.

World Health Organisation. Statement on the Second Meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee Regarding the Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Available at

Telemedicine and eConsults for hospitalized patients during COVID-19

Managing Urology Consultations during COVID-19 Pandemic: Application of a Structured Pathway

Recommendations for Tiered Stratification of Urologic Surgery Urgency in the COVID-19 Era

EAU Guidelines Office Rapid Reaction Group: An organisation-wide collaborative effort to adapt the EAU guidelines recommendations to the COVID-19 era