biostudies-literatureSauro KCanadian Institutes of Health Researche085247https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11367306biostudies-literatureUnknown14(8)<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Design</h4>This is a population-based retrospective cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>This study took place in Alberta, Canada, from December 2018 to December 2021.<h4>Participants</h4>Adult patients scheduled for surgery in Alberta during the study period were included.<h4>Primary and secondary outcomes measures</h4>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 assBMJ openConsequences of delaying non-urgent surgeries during COVID-19: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada.PMC11367306478240Ademola ABrindle MIbadin SThomas AD'Souza AGEastwood CSauro KVatanpour SSouthern DAfalseConsequences of delaying non-urgent surgeries during COVID-19: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada.<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Design</h4>This is a population-based retrospective cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>This study took place in Alberta, Canada, from December 2018 to December 2021.<h4>Participants</h4>Adult patients scheduled for surgery in Alberta during the study period were included.<h4>Primary and secondary outcomes measures</h4>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 ass2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Aug2026-07-16T21:45:46.498Z2025-04-06T01:46:20.34ZS-EPMC113673063954203810.1136/bmjopen-2024-085247