Impact of COVID-19 on the performance of a radiation oncology department at a major comprehensive cancer centre in Poland during the first ten weeks of the epidemic

Abstract

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus rapidly altered radiotherapy service delivery around the world. Aim The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of precautionary measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of a radiation oncology departments and on mitigation the risk of COVID-19 contagion between and among patients and staff. Methods The study period was from March 15 until May 22, 2020. We evaluated total number of patients irradiated and those who initiated treatments, taking into account tumours localisations. We assessed the relationship of potential risk of contagion with patients’ domiciles locations in regions with high number of COVID19 case. Results and conclusions The number of patients treated with radiotherapy during the study period decreased due to precautionary measures. After five weeks, the number of radiotherapy treatments began to increase. Just over half of the radiotherapy patients (53.5%) treated at the GPCC reside in the city of Poznan or in one of the ten surrounding counties where COVID19 incidence was low and reached at the end of the study period cumulative number of cases n = 204. The precautionary measures were effective qRT-PCR tests were performed in 1545 individuals (patients and hospital staff) revealing four staff members and none patient with a positive PCR result. Immunoglobulin testing was performed in 1132 individuals (patients and hospital staff). A total of 63 individuals were positive for antibodies.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients and health professionals of a radiation oncology department at a Spanish tertiary hospital

“…However, the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in radiation oncology departments in terms of the number of patients and delays in radiation treatments, as well as the number of professionals and patients with COVID-19 infection has been rarely reported. Ma-licki et al [7] analyzed the impact of precautionary measures in response to COVID-19 in a large Radiation Oncology center in Poland and found a reduction of 37% in the number of patients treated daily, which is similar to the 27% observed in our series. These authors [7] found an incidence of 2 out of 159 tested staff members with positive PCR (1.2%) compared to 16.6% in our department.…”

“…Ma-licki et al [7] analyzed the impact of precautionary measures in response to COVID-19 in a large Radiation Oncology center in Poland and found a reduction of 37% in the number of patients treated daily, which is similar to the 27% observed in our series. These authors [7] found an incidence of 2 out of 159 tested staff members with positive PCR (1.2%) compared to 16.6% in our department. This difference is probably due to the fact that in our center PCR was only performed in individuals with symptoms or risky contact, as well as the higher incidence of COVID-19 infection in our region.…”

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical radiography practice: A systematic literature review and recommendations for future services planning

“…Clinical radiotherapy practice was indirectly impacted globally with several reports 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 indicating a decline in patient volumes, although almost all departments were operational during the pandemic. The rapidly evolving situation 29 resulted in the regular release of recommendations from national and international authorities including the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT), National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI – UK), European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology for safe clinical care of cancers.…”

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Gynecological Cancer Radiation During Complete Nationwide Lockdown: Observations and Reflections From Tertiary Care Institute in India

“…Mumbai was the worst affected city during the COVID 19 pandemic in India (12). In the first phase of the pandemic, also corresponding to nationwide lockdown, the gynaecology radiation oncology unit treated at one-third of its capacity which is similar to the rate reported in cancer hospitals in the west as a result of reorganisation of infrastructural and human resources (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). During this period as seen in our results approximately 25-30% patients decided not to receive further treatment due to fear of infection and challenges posed due to nationwide lockdown reducing patients' ability to travel for 8-week treatment.…”