With COVID-19 gutting many health facilities, elective surgeries are critical to the rebuilding of the country. See how locums can help you effectively resume surgical services at your organization.

With COVID-19 gutting many health facilities, elective surgeries are critical
 to the rebuilding of the country. Healthcare facilities face myriad challenges
 in ramping up surgical procedures including staff shortages, COVID-19 risks,
 patient fears, and evolving practice guidelines. These hurdles aren’t
 insurmountable, however. Health leaders and medical professionals nationwide
 are vigilantly and tactfully recommencing surgical procedures.

<h2>Facilities face challenges in resuming elective surgeries.</h2>

 There are not enough surgeons. Nationwide, especially in
 rural and metro areas, hospitals, outpatient departments, and ambulatory
 surgical centers are short on surgeons. This is nothing new. Since the early
 2000s, there has been a
 <a
 href="https://bulletin.facs.org/2018/04/shortage-of-rural-surgeons-how-bad-is-it/"
 >dearth of surgeons</a
 >
 in rural areas. The number of
 <a
 href="https://bulletin.facs.org/2016/10/rural-surgery-and-the-volume-dilemma/"
 >general surgeons in rural areas</a
 >
 was estimated at 8.1 per 100,000 population in 1981, declining to 5 per
 100,000 in 2005, and likely even fewer today. Many rural counties are entirely
 without surgeons. These areas have even been dubbed “<a
 href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50934943_Surgical_deserts_in_the_US_counties_without_surgeons"
 >surgical deserts</a
 >,” and the problem persists. As for the situation in cities, although
 metropolitan areas have a greater concentration of general and specialized
 surgeons, the
 <a href="https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm"
 >demand for surgical services</a
 >
 is high due to the expanding population of older patients, and new demands
 posed by COVID-19.


 COVID compounds the shortage. As the COVID-19 pandemic
 unfolds, surgeons and other medical professionals are pulled in many
 directions. Some may be reassigned as facilities restructure. Others may be
 quarantined due to exposure. Further, experts have pointed out that the impact
 of COVID-19 is largely based on location and resources: “The stress on the
 health care delivery system is proportionate – a small number of cases creates
 stress for low capacity systems just as a large volume of cases creates stress
 for larger capacity systems” (<a
 href="https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2020/COVID Data Brief.pdf"
 >Rural Health Research and Policy Centers</a
 >).



 Patients have concerns. Many patients are hesitant to
 schedule elective surgical procedures during this time, even with additional
 precautionary measures in place. Media reports abound with stories of patients
 who are
 <a
 href="https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2020/06/03/lifebridge-surgeries-resume-not-at-full-capacity.html"
 >avoiding elective surgeries</a
 >, like knee and hip replacements, and who are even
 <a
 href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/health/coronavirus-cancer-heart-treatment.html"
 >canceling critical healthcare procedures</a
 >, such as organ transplants, cancer treatments, and heart surgeries, out of
 fear of the coronavirus disease. It is becoming crucial to facilities’
 survival to openly communicate with patients, help them weigh the risks and
 benefits, and manage their concerns about returning to hospitals and centers
 for treatment.



 Guidelines have changed. Across the globe, surgeons, staff,
 and health organizations are adapting surgical practice guidelines to protect
 against COVID-19 across the perioperative realm. Health professionals have
 adopted
 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7217115/"
 >procedural changes</a
 >
 in surgical techniques, workflow, patient and staff safety, education,
 training, and more. Best practices for delivering safe and effective surgical
 care for patients and for reducing the risk of transmission in providers and
 patients are continually evolving as information about the virus,
 transmission, and outcomes becomes available.

<h2>Strategic staffing: an effective tactic for ramping up surgeries.</h2>

 Considering the mounting issues of surgeon shortages, COVID-19 risks, patient
 concerns, and new guidelines, setting aside time to develop a staffing
 strategy may seem trivial to busy health leaders. However, the ability to
 generate and pinpoint innovative and successful solutions is what makes
 leaders effective, translating to safer patients, a happier staff, and a
 healthier bottom line. Here’s how a locum support strategy can help you
 successfully resume surgeries at your facility:


 Locums come in all shapes and sizes: In addition to medical
 professionals certified in general surgery, there are surgeons and advanced
 practice professionals across the spectrum of specialties and subspecialties.
 Many are interested in working in rural or metropolitan areas. Using locums
 can help you combat the shortage of surgical professionals.


 Locums can fill the gaps: As you gear back up, you may have
 surgeons or APPs who need respite from the pace of surgical services to avoid
 burnout. You may have staff who must quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, who
 become ill with the virus, or who have to care for family members. Locums
 provide an effective and temporary solution to give your staff a much-needed
 break.


 Locums can seamlessly integrate: Locums providers are
 accustomed to being adaptive, flexible, proactive members of the perioperative
 team. See how effective locums professionals can be in helping your patients
 feel confident and at implementing COVID-19 procedures alongside your
 permanent staff. Locums support can help expedite elective procedures and
 ensure you’re coming online safely with vetted professionals while you
 consider long-term rebuilding needs.

<h2>We’re Here to Help</h2>

 With forethought and strategic planning, you’ll be well on your way to a
 robust reopening of your surgical center – and that’s a reason for you, your
 stakeholders, your providers, and your patients to celebrate.


 Stay safe and well.
 <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/contact-us">Contact us</a>. We’re
 here to help.

Locums Support Insights & Trends: Surgeons