Safe and rapid implementation of telemedicine fracture clinics: the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic

Background The coronavirus disease outbreak in December 2019 rapidly spread around the world with profound effects on healthcare systems. In March 2020, all elective surgery and elective outpatient clinics were cancelled in our institution, a regional hospital in Northern New South Wales, Australia. With regard to orthopaedic fracture clinics, a telehealth system was implemented on an emergency basis for patient and staff safety to prevent disease transmission. The aim of our study was to investigate whether rapid implementation of telehealth for orthopaedic fracture clinics resulted in an increase in complications. Methods A retrospective cohort study of all patients with orthopaedic fracture clinic appointments at a regional New South Wales hospital between 17 March and 8 May 2020 was undertaken. There were 191 patients, including 390 appointments of which 23.1% were conducted via telehealth, namely by phone call. Complications requiring phone calls to the orthopaedic team, presentations to the emergency department, admission to hospital or return to theatre, were recorded. Results There was no increase in complications following emergent implementation of telehealth for orthopaedic fracture clinic follow‐up in our institution. Patients in the telehealth group were significantly older than those in the clinic group. Conclusion The study demonstrates that application of telehealth fracture clinics in a regional Australian setting can be achieved without increasing complication rates and can be used to formulate a rapid telehealth implementation plan if a similar scenario occurs in the future. Telemedicine is an innovative way to overcome geographical and infrastructural barriers in health systems, particularly in rural and remote settings. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, telemedicine has become a necessary avenue for provision of safe patient care. This study demonstrates that rapid implementation of telehealth for orthopaedic fracture clinics does not seem to increase complication rates. Our experience can be used to implement a rapid telehealth plan if a similar scenario occurs in the future and to support increased uptake of telehealth for patients with geographical barriers to access to healthcare.