The Unspoken Toll On Non-COVID-19 Deaths

We have to provide care to everyone else too

As health care professionals focus on dealing with COVID-19 affected patients and protecting others from infection during the pandemic, we are concerned, more than ever, about the sufficiency of the care non –COVID-related diseases receive.

Primum Non-Nocere (First, do no harm)

Primum non-nocere (first, do no harm), we proudly oathed while putting our white coats on for the first time. I have never underestimated the significance of it, yet terrified of facing the lions in the way. The radical transformation of the health care organizations influences our ability to provide high-quality care day by day.

Even though the potential consequences of the pandemic crisis are already overwhelming, the dilemma of caring for people while not harming comes to a dead end.

Based on my observations during the pandemic, the impact of non-COVID related death ratios could be assessed from two different points of view: the patient and the hospital.

Patient’s Perspective

1. People frightened to exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus while seeking medical care they need.
2. People underestimate alarming symptoms and postpone ER visits resulting in late diagnosis.
3. The treatment modifications decided by specialists for patients with chronic diseases or canceled operations classified as electives may lead to adverse effects on the healing process.
4. Even though telemedicine supports patients suffers from long term illnesses, the lack of face-to-face interactions between patients and specialists has made the situation even more challenging to cope with for both sides.

Hospital’s Perspective

1. Due to the unpredictable timetable of the pandemic, health care professionals should utilize limited personal protective equipment in the most effective way possible. This approach leads us to minimize staff exposure and resource utilization as far as possible, which imposes limitations on health care services.
2. Several healthcare providers are already infected with the virus; some are relocated due to risk classification for infection, which has profoundly affected headcount and quality.
3. Categorized as elective operations are postponed due to maintaining effectiveness, yet the uncertainty of an individual’s physiology might alter the balance at any given time.

Long story short but not the least

Despite every struggle, every tear we hide behind our white coats, every scary decision, we are and will always be here for our patients.

COVID or non-COVID.

We are going to overcome the hardest times together, side by side.