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- Talk
- 23/09/2021
- UK
The Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Cauda Equina Syndrome Referrals in the Scottish Highlands
Description
This presentation, led by Iuliana Kanya, an ST3 trainee from Tayside, discusses research conducted alongside colleague Jennifer Dunn under the supervision of Mr. Cousins. The focus is on the impact of COVID-19 on the referral rates for cauda equina syndrome (CES) from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, a general district hospital serving a large geographical area in Scotland.
The study addresses the delay in medical presentation due to the pandemic, exploring whether similar trends observed in other serious medical conditions occurred in orthopedic emergencies such as CES. The research involved a retrospective analysis comparing referral data from a 90-day period in 2019 and 2020 to ascertain any changes in patient behavior regarding seeking treatment during lockdown.
Findings reveal that the number of referrals for suspected CES remained stable despite the heightened barriers to healthcare during the pandemic. Interestingly, while referrals primarily came from the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department in 2019, by 2020, most referrals were made by General Practitioners (GPs), suggesting a shift in how patients accessed care.
The presentation concludes with Iuliana reporting no significant decrease in referrals or detriments to patient outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by literature suggesting similar findings elsewhere in the UK. The session closes with questions from the audience regarding lead-time discrepancies in referrals, affirming the ongoing commitment to patient safety in orthopedic care.