Otorhinolaryngology Out-Patient Practice in the “Post”-COVID-19 Era: Ensuring a Balance Between Service and Safety

Authors

  • Jose Florencio F. Lapeña, Jr. Department of Otorhinolaryngology College of Medicine – Philippine General Hospital; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City Philippines University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5794-1878
  • Franco Louie L. Abes Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Faculty of Medicine and Surgery University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3990-0674
  • Mark Anthony T. Gomez Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9735-5358
  • Cesar Vincent L. Villafuerte III Department of Otorhinolaryngology College of Medicine – Philippine General Hospital University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines; Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-6262
  • Rodante A. Roldan Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2092-5903
  • Philip B. Fullante Department of Otorhinolaryngology College of Medicine – Philippine General Hospital University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4064-229X
  • Ryner Jose C. Carrillo Department of Otorhinolaryngology College of Medicine – Philippine General Hospital University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines; Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2439-7682
  • Justin Elfred Lan B. Paber Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Zamboanga City Medical Center, Zamboanga City Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6945-8085
  • Armando T. Isla Jr. Mercy Community Hospital, Iligan City Lanao del Norte, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4730-4944
  • Rose Alcances-Inocencio Energy Development Corporation, Ortigas Center Pasig City, Philippines
  • Jose Benedicto A. Cabazor Metro North Medical Center and Hospital Quezon City, Philippines
  • Ruzanne M. Caro Capitol Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8377-747X
  • Ma. Fita P. Guzman Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Alabang Muntinlupa City, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v35i1.1249

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, otorhinolaryngology, otolaryngology head and neck surgery, ENT, out-patient practice, clinic practice

Abstract

Objective: To review available resources and provide evidence-based recommendations that may optimize otorhinolaryngologic out-patient health care delivery in the “post”-COVID-19 era while ensuring the safety of our patients, healthcare workers and staff.


Data Sources: Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles; task force, organizational and institutional, government and non-government organization recommendations; published guidelines from medical, health-related, and scientific organizations.


Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertained to “post”-COVID 19 out-patient otorhinolaryngologic practice was obtained from peer-reviewed articles, guidelines, recommendations, and statements that were identified through a structured search of the data sources for relevant literature utilizing MEDLINE (through PubMed and PubMed Central PMC), Google (and Google Scholar), HERDIN Plus, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Library, and grey literature including social media (blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook). In-patient management (including ORL surgical procedures such as tracheostomy) were excluded. Retrieved material was critically appraised and organized according to five discussion themes: physical office set-up, patient processing, personal protection, procedures, and prevention and health-promotion.


Conclusion: These recommendations are consistent with the best available evidence to date, and are globally acceptable while being locally applicable. They address the concerns of otorhinolaryngologists and related specialists about resuming office practice during the “post”-COVID-19 period when strict quarantines are gradually lifted and a transition to the “new” normal is made despite the unavailability of a specific vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. While they target practice settings in the Philippines, they should be useful to ENT (ear, nose & throat) surgeons in other countries in ensuring a balance between service and safety as we continue to serve our patients during these challenging times.


Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; otorhinolaryngology; otolaryngology head and neck surgery;
ENT; out-patient practice; clinic practice.

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Published

2020-05-15

How to Cite

1.
Lapeña JF, Abes FL, Gomez MA, Villafuerte CV, Roldan R, Fullante P, Carrillo RJ, Paber JEL, Isla A, Alcances-Inocencio R, Cabazor JB, Caro R, Guzman MF. Otorhinolaryngology Out-Patient Practice in the “Post”-COVID-19 Era: Ensuring a Balance Between Service and Safety. Philipp J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg [Internet]. 2020 May 15 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];35(1):6-29. Available from: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/1249

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