{"id":"8821b378-4d57-431a-a6d2-3b318750d8c6","slug":"neurosurgical-experiences-of-a-bengaluru-teaching-hospital-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","title":"Neurosurgical experiences of a Bengaluru teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":["Raj Swaroop Lavadi","B. V. Sandeep","Manpreet Singh Banga","Sangamesh Halhalli","Anantha Kishan"],"abstract":"Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted neurosurgical practices globally, including at a teaching hospital in Bengaluru, India. The department experienced a drastic reduction in case volume due to lockdowns and travel restrictions, which limited patient access to care. The pandemic also necessitated structural changes within the hospital to accommodate COVID-19 patients. Summary: The neurosurgery department faced workforce challenges, with a reduction in residents and increased responsibilities for remaining staff. Patient care protocols were adapted to include COVID-19 testing and safety measures, which affected surgical schedules and patient management. Despite the challenges, the department maintained educational activities and research initiatives during this period. Conclusion: The experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for organizational strategies to balance elective and emergency surgeries in a resource-limited environment. As case volumes begin to rise again, the department anticipates ongoing challenges in managing patient care while ensuring staff well-being and educational commitments. Keywords: COVID-19, neurosurgery, Bengaluru, case volume, patient care, workforce, surgical protocols, education","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/general-neurosurgery.png","publishDate":"2022-01-05T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1179_2021","categories":["General Neurosurgery","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/11331/SNI-13-3.pdf"}