General thoracic surgery services across Asia during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic
Journal
Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals
Journal Volume
28
Journal Issue
5
Pages
243-249
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Jheon S.
Ahmed A.D.B.
Fang V.W.T.
Jung W.
Khan A.Z.
Nakajima J.
Sihoe A.D.L.
Thongcharoen P.
Tsuboi M.
Turna A.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 posed an historic challenge to healthcare systems around the world. Besides mounting a massive response to the viral outbreak, healthcare systems needed to consider provision of clinical services to other patients in need. Surgical services for patients with thoracic disease were maintained to different degrees across various regions of Asia, ranging from significant reductions to near-normal service. Key determinants of robust thoracic surgery service provision included: preexisting plans for an epidemic response, aggressive early action to “flatten the curve”, ability to dedicate resources separately to COVID-19 and routine clinical services, prioritization of thoracic surgery, and the volume of COVID-19 cases in that region. The lessons learned can apply to other regions during this pandemic, and to the world, in preparation for the next one. ? The Author(s) 2020.
Subjects
Coronavirus; COVID-19; delivery of health care; lung cancer; pandemics; thoracic surgery
SDGs
Other Subjects
Article; artificial ventilation; Asia; China; coronavirus disease 2019; elective surgery; epidemic; extracorporeal oxygenation; fatigue; health care system; human; India; Japan; mortality rate; pandemic; personal hygiene; Singapore; social distance; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand; thorax disease; thorax surgery; Betacoronavirus; comorbidity; Coronavirus infection; health care delivery; lung tumor; thorax disease; thorax surgery; virus pneumonia; Asia; Betacoronavirus; Comorbidity; Coronavirus Infections; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Thoracic Diseases; Thoracic Surgical Procedures
Publisher
SAGE Publications Inc.
Type
journal article