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 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2021  |  Volume : 27  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 58-61

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on obstetrics and gynecology practice: an Egyptian Tertiary Referral University Hospital experience


Department of Ob/Gyn, Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Date of Submission18-Jul-2020
Date of Decision20-Oct-2020
Date of Acceptance16-Jun-2021
Date of Web Publication19-Aug-2022

Correspondence Address:
MD Hisham Haggag
No. 9, Street 151, Horeya Square, Maadi, Cairo, 11431
Egypt
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/kamj.kamj_27_20

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  Abstract 


Aim To calculate the workload and infection rates following the strategies implemented for COVID-19 pandemic.
Background Since its outbreak in Wuhan China, the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 has become devastating, and despite implementation of extensive control measures, it has rapidly spread all over the world. Till now pregnant women do not appear any more likely to acquire Covid-19 infection than the general population. However, standard care is not enough, and additional measures and strategies should be implemented to prevent disease spread to the healthcare providers or other patients especially in the emergency setting.
Methods We have conducted a retrospective search for the different strategies implemented by Kasr Al-Ainy Ob/Gyn Department followed by calculation of the workload and infection rates following implementation of such plans of action. We traced and collected the protective strategies implemented to ensure control of disease spread.
Results There was a 11.7 and 24.6% decrease in the number of attending cases and admitted cases, respectively, during the pandemic as compared with the earlier prepandemic period. We also found a change in the number of service providers as well as a change in the facility settings in the emergency department. Adequate spacing between patients’ beds was measured to be at least 3 m and suspected cases were kept in isolation rooms.
Conclusions The drop in the number of presenting and admitted case was due to lockdown procedures which encouraged the patients to seek nearby health care facilities and avoid going to crowded tertiary centres as ours.

Keywords: Covid-19, hospital strategies, Obstetrics and Gynecology


How to cite this article:
Haggag H, Seleem M, Ali AM, Soliman E. Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on obstetrics and gynecology practice: an Egyptian Tertiary Referral University Hospital experience. Kasr Al Ainy Med J 2021;27:58-61

How to cite this URL:
Haggag H, Seleem M, Ali AM, Soliman E. Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on obstetrics and gynecology practice: an Egyptian Tertiary Referral University Hospital experience. Kasr Al Ainy Med J [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 29];27:58-61. Available from: http://www.kamj.eg.net/text.asp?2021/27/3/58/354081




  Background Top


Since its outbreak in Wuhan, China, the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become devastating, and despite implementation of extensive control measures, it has rapidly spread all over the world. It is important to realize the logistical hurdles associated with medical supplies and strategies, and to accelerate, mobilize, and optimize the different healthcare facilities. These measures are crucial for controlling the pandemic, protecting health workers, and alleviating the severity of patient outcomes. Acknowledging such potential association of mortality with healthcare resources and strategies might aid the world to be better prepared [1].

Till now, pregnant women do not appear anymore likely to acquire COVID-19 infection than the general population [2],[3]. Even though pregnancy alters the immune response to viral infections, there is no evidence that such women are more at risk to be severely ill nor need admission to ICUs nor die from the disease than nonpregnant adults [4]. Most women will only have mild flu-like symptoms with or without cough, fever, dyspnea, headache and anosmia, or/and loss of taste [5]. Thus, standard care is not enough and additional measures and strategies should be implemented to prevent disease spread to the healthcare providers or other patients, especially in the emergency setting [6].

Egypt announced the first case of COVID-19 to appear on the February 14, 2020, and even before the appearance of the disease, the official bodies have had plans and strategies to face this growing worldwide disaster [7]. We have conducted a retrospective search for the different strategies implemented by Kasr Al-Ainy Ob/Gyn Department followed by calculation of the workload and infection rates following implementation of such plans of action.


  Patients and methods Top


We first started collecting the official documents that were issued from the deputy manager of Ob/Gyn Hospital, Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, regarding the implementations and strategies that should be carried out during the pandemic. Then we obtained a departmental approval O20004 to carry out the study. Department ethical approval number O20004. No patients were approached thus no consent forms. We collected the necessary data (during the pandemic) from the period of March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020 from patients’ files and official registries. Rata data include numbers of attending and admitted patients, management to such patients, infection rates among patients and personnel, as well as the number of stepped-down healthcare providers. We compared our data regarding magnitude of work with an earlier period (prepandemic) from December 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020. To ensure data privacy, any personal identification whether to the medical or nonmedical personnel was removed. Staff psychological support/encouragement and staff orientation to infection-control measures was assessed.

All the data were recorded, anonymized, and verified by the first author for their accuracy. χ2 test was used for statistical significance, defined as P value less than or equal to 0.05.


  Results Top


We traced and collected the protective strategies implemented to ensure control of disease spread and they could be summarized as follows:
  1. No more than six patients (three in the examination rooms and three in the waiting area) will be allowed to be present in the emergency triage at any given time.
  2. A scoring system, developed by the Egyptian Ministry of Health, was used to spot suspected and/or infected cases.
  3. Different tracks were developed for confirmed, suspected, or unsuspected cases.
  4. Allocation of five more halls to ensure adequate spacing between the patients in antepartum and postpartum wards.
  5. Different halls were allocated for unsuspected, suspected, or infected cases.
  6. Using different operation theaters with different operation rooms for nonsuspected cases and suspected or confirmed cases.
  7. Transfer of high-risk-infected patients to a separate ward to be managed by the specialized high-risk unit team.
  8. Developing a notification system to the infection-control officer, the hospital manager, and the Ministry of Health.
  9. Use of personal protection equipment (PPE), including surgical and N95 masks, face shields, gowns, coveralls, as well as PPE training directly by infection-control teams as well as virtual and social media.
  10. No change in admission criteria and regulations for emergency cases, however, there was a change in discharge policies to decrease hospital stays (e.g. 4 h instead of 12 for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and 6 h instead of 24 for uncomplicated laparotomies).
  11. Screening by PCR test for patients if suspicious and by antibodies and PCR for the working staff with adequate healthcare support for infected staff members.
  12. Implementations to new teaching and training activities:
    1. Department website upgrading.
    2. Undergraduate lectures’ recording and uploading.
    3. Online postgraduate online courses.
    4. Webinars.
    5. Online department council meetings.


As regards workload in the emergency department, there was a 11.7 and 24.6% decrease in the number of attending cases and admitted cases, respectively, during the pandemic as compared with the earlier prepandemic period. However, there was no significant change in the percentages of patients undergoing different procedures ([Table 1]).
Table 1 Emergency workload during the pandemic and the prepandemic period

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This difference was much more profound in the elective outpatient unit where there was 64 and 75% decrease in the number of attending cases and admitted cases, respectively. Similarly, a 76% decline in elective gynecological operational procedures ([Table 2]).
Table 2 Outpatient and elective workload during the pandemic and the prepandemic period

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We also found a change in the number of service providers, as well as a change in the facility settings in the emergency department. Adequate spacing between patients’ beds was measured to be at least 3 m and suspected cases were kept in isolation rooms. These changes can be summarized in [Table 3].
Table 3 Service providers in the emergency obstetric department facility during the pandemic and the prepandemic period

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Finally, with the above-mentioned implementations, we recorded 82 stepped-down personnel whether due to established infections or going on open leaves following the primeministerial decree (two residents, nine staff members, 54 nurses, and 17 workers). There were only eight cases admitted with confirmed COVID-19 infection, two of which were admitted to the ICU and one of which passed away sadly. Only one recorded neonatal mortality. We also recorded 38 hospital staff infections, four residents, one house officer, seven staff members, 21 nurses, two workers, and three administrative clerks.


  Discussion Top


Cairo University hospitals comprise more than 5200 beds, being the largest medical institution in the Middle East and probably one of the largest centers worldwide. Ever since its foundation on March 11, 1827, Kasr Al-Ainy has been considered a ‘stronghold of science and culture.’ The Ob/Gyn Department is one of the main departments in this university hospital serving more than 100 000 patients yearly with an average of 15 000 deliveries and almost 3000 gynecological procedures yearly.

According to the CDC guidelines, each healthcare facility should consider their space and staffing needs to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Considerations include proper isolation of parturients who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, as well as proper training for all healthcare personnel. The working staff should correctly adhere to infection-control measures and proper PPE usage and disposal in addition to having access to sufficient PPE supplies in every point of care [8]. By comparing what was done to such a guideline we found that there was a good initiative to decrease crowding and ensure proper spacing to prevent disease spread, as well as good management of human resources to avoid overworking and exhaustion during the pandemic period, which is not uncommon [9]. Till now, there is no report on how obstetrical practices should adapt to the pandemic and no key performance indicators have been described to objectively measure or demonstrate success in disease control. Yet, our infection rate is comparable to that described by Peña et al. [10], who described similar infection rates in four hospitals in New York City. As for infection-control measures and mode of delivery, we were in accordance with the Cochrane review published last month [11].

Availability of PPEs is one of the main lines of protection of the healthcare workers and limiting the number of visitors and avoiding overcrowding in waiting areas is important to control disease spread [12],[13],[14]. This was also implemented in our hospital with an additional assigned person to follow up and report any breach-in conduct or defect in supply.As far as we know, changes in numbers of admissions in emergency Ob/gyn facilities or elective procedures have not been reported. Only one report was found for orthopedic trauma and it showed a decline in admission rates [15]. We found a drop in the number of presenting and admitted cases and we assume this is due to lockdown procedures that encourage the patients to seek nearby healthcare facilities and avoid going to crowded tertiary centers as ours.

We believe our study has several strengths. We documented the practices put into action for caring for COVID-19 patients coming to the Ob/Gyn department. We calculated the workload and compared it with a further period, so that it can be used in future studies to optimize current practices. Finally, we were able to identify the infection rates not only among personnel but among healthcare providers in addition to demonstrating the stepped-down numbers. However, we acknowledge some limitations that might lead to bias. This report included only one large center with access to robust physical and human resources that might not be available to other places. This might make our protocols less generalizable and inapplicable to other centers. Additionally, we compared our numbers to numbers from the preceding 3 months, which differed not only in season but in the presence of the holy month of Ramadan. Finally, we did not focus on specific treatment protocols for the infection. We have already initiated a multicenter study, including five university hospitals to try to measure the reproducibility of our protocols and objectively measure the change in workloads.

Ultimately, we sincerely hope that by sharing such policies will help simplify and objectively direct optimal care for COVID-19 obstetrics patients.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Ji Y, Ma Z, Peppelenbosch MP, Pan Q. Potential association between COVID-19 mortality and health-care resource availability. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e480.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Docherty AB, Harrison EM, Green CA, Hardwick HE, Pius R, Norman L et al. Features of 16,749 hospitalised UK patients with COVID-19 using the ISARIC WHO clinical characterisation protocol. BMJ 2020; 369:m1985.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Smith V, Seo D, Warty R, Payne O, Salih M, Chin KL et al. Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with COVID-19 infection: a systematic review. PLoS ONE 2020; 15:e0234187.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
ICNARC. Report on COVID-19 in critical care2020 [updated 27 March]. Available at: https://www.icnarc.org/Our-Audit/Latest-News/2020/04/10/Report-On-5578-Patients-Critically-Ill-WithCovid-19. (Accessed 01 July 2020).  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Public Health England. COVID-19: investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases 2020. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-initialinvestigation-of-possible-cases/investigation-and-initial-clinical-management-of-possible-cases-of-wuhannovel-coronavirus-wn-cov-infection (Accessed 01 July 2020).  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection and Pregnancy. Version 10.1: updated 19 June 2020. Guidance for healthcare professionals on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy. RCOG, 2020.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Egypt Today Staff. 2020, February 14. Egypt announces first Coronavirus infection. Available at: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/81641/Egypt-announces-first-Coronavirus-infection. (Accessed 07 July 2020).  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases, 2020.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Dimitriu MCT, Pantea-Stoian A, Smaranda AC, Nica AA, Carap AC, Constantin VD et al. Burnout syndrome in Romanian medical residents in time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Med Hypotheses 2020; 144:109972.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Peña JA, Bianco AT, Simpson LL, Bernstein PS, Roman AS, Goffman D et al. A survey of labor and delivery practices in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Perinatol 2020; 37:975–981.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
COVID-19 review of national clinical practice guidelines for key questions relating to the care of pregnant women and their babies. Available at: https://pregnancy.cochrane.org/news/covid-19-review-national-clinical-practice-guidelines-key-questions-relating-care-pregnant. (Accessed 12 July 2020).  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Stephens AJ, Barton JR, Bentum NA, Blackwell SC, Sibai BM. General guidelines in the management of an obstetrical patient on the labor and delivery unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Perinatol 2020; 37:829–836.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Rasmussen SA, Jamieson DJ. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy: responding to a rapidly evolving situation. Obstet Gynecol 2020; 135:999–1002.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.
Dashraath P, Wong JLJ, Lim MXK, Lim LM, Li S, Biswas A et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 222:521–531.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.
Park C, Sugand K, Nathwani D, Bhattacharya R, Sarraf KM. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopedic trauma workload in a London level 1 trauma center: the ‘golden month’. Acta Orthop 2020; 91:1–6.  Back to cited text no. 15
    



 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]



 

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