Table 5 Strategies for arthroplasty service planning during the next pandemic

Pre-pandemic

• Build a consensus among stakeholders for prioritization of arthroplasty services, including inpatient, outpatient and operation, during different degrees of severity of a pandemic

• Establish guidelines for infection control measures for patients and health care workers during the pandemic

• Establish guidelines for operating on a confirmed infected case during the pandemic

• Set up telemedicine infrastructure for preoperative education, outpatient consultation and follow-up, and telerehabilitation

• Set up ERAS services for arthroplasty procedures

During the pandemic

• Adjust clinical services according to the severity of the pandemic

• Increase the capacity for supporting ERAS services in arthroplasty to shorten hospital stay and reduce the burden on inpatient care

• Provide telemedicine consultations for pre-operative education and postoperative follow-up

• Provide telerehabilitation to maintain mobility and knee function; ensure access to drug-refill clinic for patients on waiting list for arthroplasty

• Provide telerehabilitation for postoperative rehabilitation after arthroplasty

• Develop a post-pandemic arthroplasty resumption plan for the anticipated backlog

Post-pandemic

• Prepare manpower and hospital capacity for the post-pandemic increase in clinical service (e.g., extend operating room schedules)

• Utilize orthopaedic block times for arthroplasty procedures

• Enhance mental health support for healthcare workers to cope with the increase in workload during the post-pandemic phase