%0 Journal Article
%T The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palestinian Patients Attending Selected Governmental Hospitals: An Analysis of Hospital Records.
%A Atary M
%A Abu-Rmeileh NME
%J Int J Environ Res Public Health
%V 21
%N 2
%D 2024 Feb 8
%M 38397686
%F 4.614
%R 10.3390/ijerph21020196
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Confronting the COVID-19 epidemic forced the closure or relocation of the majority of health facilities. It is likely that non-COVID-19 patients suffered collateral effects.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The clinic and operating room records were analyzed at selected Palestinian government hospitals in the West Bank region.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The reduction in patient clinic visits varied from 49% to 90%, with Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT), urology, and pediatric clinics being the most affected. The reduction in operation numbers in the center (which had independent decision-making) ranged from 7.1% to 23.4%, but in the north and south (which followed centralized choices), the reduction ranged from 19.6% to 91.8%.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>COVID-19 affected outpatient visits. The pandemic affected some services, but West Bank hospitals were able to provide normal obstetric and gynecological treatments and help patients who needed primary or intermediate surgery.