Impact of COVID-19 geographic distribution on advanced age plastic surgeons: A cross-sectional analysis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Michael Wells, Case Western Reserve University; Tarun K. Jella, Case Western Reserve University; David X. Zheng, Case Western Reserve University; Irene A. Chang, Case Western Reserve University; Alexandria L. Gerber, Case Western Reserve University; Taral Jella, Emory University; James R. Gatherwright, MetroHealth Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-12-26
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2020.12.049
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 1633
• End Page: 1701
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors report no funding sources relevant to this work.
• Keywords: COVID-19; Plastic surgery; Health Care Sciences & Services; Geographic variation; Advanced age; Surgeons
• Research Categories: Sociology, Organizational; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, and has since spread worldwide. Among countries struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19, the United States (U.S.) has been particularly heavily affected. Since recording a new single-day peak of 83,010 cases on October 23, 2020,1 the U.S. has continued to experience record highs in daily confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19 has been noted in certain populations (e.g., individuals over age 60).2 Advanced age patients are at increased risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, and represent a potential for nosocomial transmission to healthcare providers.