A review of the effectiveness of fever tent setup in COVID-19 pandemic from a radiology perspective

Abstract

Introduction: This paper describes our experience in setting up a dedicated imaging facility within a temporary fever tentage in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We review in detail the effectiveness of the setup and its role from the radiological perspective. Methods: The dedicated imaging facility within the temporary fever tentage was equipped with a computer-on-wheels (COWs) to access patients’ medical records and a portable x-ray machine to allow for a smooth workflow. Radiation dose measurements were acquired around the imaging facility using phantoms and dosimeters to ensure radiation safety. Results: Due to its rapid nature and availability as a screening tool, chest x-ray (CXR) is the most widely used imaging modality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our dedicated fever tent setup minimizes possible in-hospital transmission between both patients and staff, and provides a more streamlined workflow to tackle the high workload. It allowed us to reduce the time required for each radiograph, providing timely imaging services and radiological reports for expedient clinical screening. Discussion: The close collaboration between Radiology and Emergency Department in setting up the fever tentage is a crucial tool in allowing us to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The fever tentage imaging facility is a highly effective tool, providing the means to handle the increased patient load in a streamlined and safe manner during a pandemic. Conclusion: This paper provides insights and guidelines in setting up a dedicated imaging service within the fever tent for future infectious disease outbreak contingency plans.

The Effect of A ‘Covid Tent’ On Emergency Department Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction: A Single Site Retrospective Study

“…Lastly, we have shown that care is delivered faster in the Covid tent compared to "tent appropriate" patients seen in the main ED, likely due to a streamlined workflow. These results are in line with a recent study which found chest radiographs are obtained more expeditiously in a dedicated 'fever tent' compared to the usual radiography facilities in the setting of the Covid-19 pandemic [10]. An ED with a shorter length of stay and a decreased rate of patients leaving without being seen could impact patient satisfaction.…”