Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Private Healthcare Providers: Elective Procedure Volumes and Consequences

This global paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective surgeries and surgical departments globally. It highlights the need to analyze the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in addressing evolving healthcare demands and resource allocation, focusing on enhancing preparedness and addressing vulnerabilities. The paper also emphasizes the role of the private sector in complementing public healthcare during the pandemic. The study reviews studies published worldwide, mainly in Austria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In Austria, the reduction in surgical interventions during the second wave was less severe compared to the first wave, despite higher infection rates and ICU admissions. In Belgium, there was a significant decrease in elective knee surgeries and outpatient visits during the lockdown period. In the United States, hospitals lost approximately between US$1430 and US$1700 an hour for same-day surgery. Globally, an estimated 28.4 million elective operations were canceled or postponed during the 12-week peak of the pandemic. The economic impact of these cancellations underscores the importance of careful planning and strategies to address the backlog of surgeries after the pandemic.