Upscaling Virtual Fracture Clinic Use Is a Safe, Effective Measure in the Delivery of Trauma Care

The Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) has proved beneficial in reducing footfall within the hospital setting, improving the cost of running a trauma service, while satisfying the majority of referred patients. The mandatory upscaling of telemedicine use, specifically the enhancement of the VFC, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, was analyzed. The remit of the VFC within our hospital was expanded so as to include all referred ambulatory trauma. Outcomes of our VFC review over the 6-week period following the introduction of the national Irish COVID-19-related restrictions were gathered. These outcomes were analyzed and compared with the corresponding 6-week period from 2019. A 77.2% increase in the VFC referral volume was observed throughout the COVID-19-related period. Patients were directly discharged in 55.2% of cases in 2020, as opposed to 47.8% in 2019 (P= 0.044); referred directly for physiotherapy in 32.9% of cases in 2020, as opposed to 28.9% in 2019 (P= 0.173); and referred to a fracture clinic in 11.9% of cases in 2020, as opposed to 23.7% in 2019 (P< 0.001). Also, 3.0% of patients returned to the clinic after discharge in 2020, compared with 4.4% in 2019 (P= 0.237); 4.5% of patients were referred for surgery in 2020, as opposed to 2.2% in 2019 (P= 0.105). The VFC proved to be an efficient tool in managing ambulatory trauma throughout the pandemic. Upscaling the VFC to include all ambulatory trauma is a safe, effective method in reducing clinic attendances and hospital footfall, whilst ensuring that high care standards are maintained.