How many surgeries were postponed due to COVID-19?

More than 4 million surgeries have been called off in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is according to a study conducted by CovidSurg Collaborative published in the British Journal of Surgery. They looked at surgeries canceled during the peak 12 weeks of the pandemic and received responses from 359 hospitals in 71 countries. Worldwide, more than 28.4 surgeries were canceled. Most hospitals started putting elective surgeries on hold in March to focus care and resources on COVID patients.

“These delays may significantly impact patients' quality of life, the ability to do their work or care for their loved ones,” says Giana Davidson, MD, MPH, FACS, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine who partnered with CovidSurg Collaborative. “As we start the process of reopening, it's critical that we also strive for equitable access to surgical care across the communities we serve.”

Many hospitals and surgery centers have restarted elective surgeries. Over 90% of hospitals have restarted these surgeries, and those that haven’t will do so within weeks.