Impact of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on an interventional radiology unit

Abstract

Objectives To describe the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the interventional radiology unit at our hospital in the first year of the pandemic. Material and methods This prospective observational study included 83 consecutive patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent an interventional radiology procedure in the period comprising March 13, 2020 through March 13, 2021. We describe the repercussions of the situation on the unit's total activity, as well as on its activity during the different phases of the pandemic. Results Technical and clinical success were achieved in 96.43% and 82.14% of cases, respectively. During follow-up throughout the year, 68 patients remained alive and 15 died from their underlying disease. No complications related with interventional procedures occurred, and activity declined by only 12% in comparison with the same period in the previous year (2019-2020, without COVID). Similarly, the decrease in relative value units and radiology activity units was only 13% and 12%, respectively. Conclusion The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenge in our daily work, leading to an overall decrease in the number of procedures. Nevertheless, the interventional radiology unit has been actively involved in caring for Covid-19 patients, performing a wide variety of necessary procedures. Following a series of specific measures and protocols has enabled us to perform interventional radiology procedures safely during the pandemic.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Interventional Radiology in Germany

“…This is even more note- worthy since increasing workforce shortages due to absences of employees in quarantine probably played a role compared to the first wave [14]. In contrast, other interventional radiology facilities around the world reported a decline in the number of services of up to minus 19 % at the end of the first year of the pandemic in 2020 [15,16]. Compared to the first wave of infection, the improved level of preparedness of medical facilities thanks to the implementation of instructions for reorganizing departmental workflows and the availability of vaccines probably had an impact here.…”

“…Andere interventionell-radiologische Einrichtungen weltweit berichten hingegen zum Ende des 1. Pandemiejahres 2020 von rückläufigen Leistungszahlen bis zu Minus 19 % [15,16]. Im Vergleich zur 1.…”

“…4 % compared to the same period of the previous year (n = 190 454 and 189 447 vs. n = 183 123, respectively, p < 0.001). Only the first pandemic wave in spring 2020 (weeks [12][13][14][15][16] showed a significant temporary drop in the number of interventional procedures by 26 % (n = 4799, p < 0.05). This primarily involved interventions that were not immediately medically urgent, such as pain treatments or elective arterial revascularization.…”