PONE-D-22-35746Evaluation of the Medically Necessary, Time Sensitive Triage Score During and Beyond the Local COVID-19 Pandemic in the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in South AfricaPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Congratulacions to he authors for their interesting study reporting usefulness of the MENTS score in prioritizing patients for surgery in gynaecologic oncologic speacialty.

As the authors of the study clearly demonstrate, the MENTS score is a good tool t0 prioritize resources in times when they are restricted in pandemic situations. The results of this paper confirm for the first time that it is applicable to more specialized units within the gynecology specialty, such as oncology.

In general, I agree with the introduction, with the description of material and statistical method, presentation of results and conclusions.

However, I want to make the following comment that I think should be put as a limitation to the study in the final part of the discussion. The authors find a clear difference in the total MENTS score, and therefore conclude that it is a valid tool to discriminate the patients who will undergo surgery; however, if we analyze each factor of the MENTS score separately, we can observe that there are very significant differences in disease and patient factor, and none in the procedure. These very marked differences in these two factors can weigh heavily on the overall MENTS score. The explanation that could be given is that the oncological pathology and morbidity were significantly higher in the operated group This situacion is commonly seen in specialized oncological units.

Except for this comment, which should be cited as a limitation of the study, it is shown that the MENTS score is a useful tool in the selection and prioritization of patients who must be operated in times of resource restriction. For all of the above, I believe that this paper meets the characteristics to be published in PLOS-ONE.

Reviewer #2: There are a few typographical errors which should be corrected. The use of the word non-emergent is inappropriate and should be replaced with non-urgent. The authors evaluated the MeNTS in Gynecologic Oncologic settings but not describe it. It was done by Prachand et al.They should delete this from the abstract and body. The scoring system could be applicable in other resource constrained situations but should be validated and re-evaluated on a continuous basis.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Professor Isaac Adewole

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Evaluation of the Medically Necessary, Time Sensitive triage score during and beyond the local COVID-19 pandemic in the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa

PONE-D-22-35746R1

Dear Dr. Adekunle Emmanuel Sajo,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Stefano Turi

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE