Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T00:15:57.249Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

One year on: assessing the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on demand for semi-urgent ENT services

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2021

H Allen ,
J Winstanley ,
T J Stubington  and
O Judd
H Allen*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
J Winstanley
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
T J Stubington
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
O Judd
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Heather Allen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, DerbyDE22 3NE, UK E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

This study investigated how the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has impacted on presentations to ENT first-on-call services.

Methods

All appointments to a rapid access triage clinic from 1 June to 31 August in 2019 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively and their reasons for consultation classified. A binomial proportion test was used to determine whether the proportions of consultations per presentation differed significantly between years. This analysis was repeated with the number of unique patients per presenting complaint.

Results

The proportions of nine reasons for consultation differed significantly between 2019 and 2020, including an increase in otitis media and nasal trauma presentations, and a decrease in otitis externa and tonsillitis presentations. Reattendances caused some variation in the frequency of certain diagnoses.

Conclusion

Our data suggest a shift in the presentations to first-on-call services, which may be a result of changes in patient behaviour and access to healthcare services.

Keywords

COVID-19OtitisTriage
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 9 , September 2021 , pp. 829 - 833
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Dr H Allen takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

NHS Digital. Appointments in General Practice in June 2020. In: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/appointments-in-general-practice/june-2020 [25 July 2021]Google Scholar
Czeisler, M, Marynak, K, Clarke, K, Salah, Z, Shakya, I, Thierry, J et al. Delay or avoidance of medical care because of COVID-19-related concerns – United States, June 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1250–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
British Medical Association. The hidden impact of COVID-19 on patient care in the NHS in England. In: https://www.bma.org.uk/media/2841/the-hidden-impact-of-covid_web-pdf.pdf [28 February 2021]Google Scholar
NHS. Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery: GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report. In: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ENT-Report-Nov19-L-FINAL.pdf [28 February 2021]Google Scholar
Stubington, T, Morrison, B, Sevilla, C, Judd, O. What still presents urgently to ENT during a pandemic? Experience of an ENT rapid access clinic during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. J Laryngol Otol 2021;135:70–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bradbury-Jones, C, Isham, L. The pandemic paradox: the consequences of COVID-19 on domestic violence. J Clin Nurs 2020;2:2047–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Briguglio, M, Giorgino, R, Dell'Osso, B, Cesari, M, Porta, M, Lattanzio, F et al. Consequences for the elderly after COVID-19 isolation: FEaR (Frail Elderly amid Restrictions). Front Psychol 2020;11:565052CrossRefGoogle Scholar