Consequences of delaying non-urgent surgeries during COVID-19: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To ensure sufficient resources to care for patients with COVID-19, healthcare systems delayed non-urgent surgeries to free capacity. This study explores the consequences of delaying non-urgent surgery on surgical care and healthcare resource use.

Design

This is a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Setting

This study took place in Alberta, Canada, from December 2018 to December 2021.

Participants

Adult patients scheduled for surgery in Alberta during the study period were included.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures

The proportion of surgeries completed and surgery wait time were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes were healthcare resource use (hospital length of stay, emergency room visits and physician visits). The ass

SUBMITTER: Sauro K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11367306 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature