The impact of COVID-19 on anaesthesia and critical care services in the UK: a serial service evaluation.

ABSTRACT: Between October 2020 and January 2021, we conducted three national surveys to track anaesthetic, surgical and critical care activity during the second COVID-19 pandemic wave in the UK. We surveyed all NHS hospitals where surgery is undertaken. Response rates, by round, were 64%, 56% and 51%. Despite important regional variations, the surveys showed increasing systemic pressure on anaesthetic and peri-operative services due to the need to support critical care pandemic demands. During Rounds 1 and 2, approximately one in eight anaesthetic staff were not available for anaesthetic work. Approximately one in five operating theatres were closed and activity fell in those that were open. Some mitigation was achieved by relocation of surgical activity to other locations. Approximately one-quarter

SUBMITTER: Kursumovic E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8222939 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature