How Singapore Otolaryngologist ENT Clinics Cope with Covid-19. The coronavirus pandemic has chiefly impacted medical care systems globally with its far-reaching effects. Several hospitals have put forward various measures and protocols to reduce the spread of the menacing virus. It has a significant impact on clinics, thereby affecting the medical practices of doctors. The outbreak of the virus has influenced otolaryngology remarkably. The department of otorhinolaryngology at different hospitals has adapted to the situation of the pandemic. The team of doctors is providing Medical Services and simultaneously combating coronavirus.
Hospitals and clinics had designed flexible and modified workflow measures and personal protection tools because of the new normal. Therefore, Health Care providers ensure a safe environment for the team and the patient by managing the number of different domains of the ENT department or any other medical department requiring several adjustments while practicing medical care during the outbreak.
Challenges faced by ENT clinics
Minimal contact
Outpatient treatment by ENT Specialists has undergone some changes. Virtual consultation has replaced face-to-face contact, thereby maintaining the safety of the patients. ENT specialists face unique challenges to treat otolaryngology issues amidst the outspread of the virus. The medical team uses Personal Protective Equipment to minimize contagion among doctors and other members of the clinic.
Diagnosing the problem
The coronavirus pandemic affects the respiratory organs of individuals. Therefore, healthcare providers could not identify respiratory issues due to ENT problems as it overlaps one another. The medical care workforce talks about the symptoms of infectious diseases with the patients to not be confused with COVID symptoms. Before diagnosing any ailment, health experts had to undertake a test for coronavirus, thereby dealing with the patient’s treatment. In case of an emergency, the patient is considered Covid-19 positive and strictly under isolation.
Minimal use of tools and equipment
Amidst the pandemic situation, even the top ENT doctor avoids using powered instruments while performing a surgery unless the case becomes very severe. Every piece of equipment must remain sterilized before using it. While working with tools, the healthcare provider enhances safety by using the PP kit. Any examination of the patient your nose and throat require full coverage on the part of the patient.
Handling the risks
The procedure of Nasal Endoscopy is aerosol-based. It enhances the risk of contracting the virus among the medical team since it calls for close examination of the patient’s ears, nose, and throat. Another troublesome task is to breathe through surgical face masks and perform the surgery with the PPE kits on. Several patients hide the history of travel due to the fear of confinement. Multiple visitors of the ENT clinic in Singapore are suffering from sinus throat infections and acute respiratory problems. Although such patients do not fall under COVID suspect criteria yet, they pose a threat to the medical team through the symptoms.
Due to the rapid transmission of the disease, it is necessary to maintain the sanitation and safety of clinics and hospitals. ENT hospitals avoid inpatient treatment to manage the spread of infections. However, some doctors have to attend to emergency cases, such as removing foreign objects from the ear, nose, and throat of the patient. Several patients refuse medical care due to fear of contagion, thereby depriving them of access to surgery during the pandemic.
