Nationwide survey of COVID-19 prevention measures in Japanese radiotherapy departments via online questionnaire for radiation oncologists

Tamari, Keisuke; Nagata, Yasushi; Nishiki, Shingo; Nakamura, Satoaki; Ogawa, Kazuhiko; Umemura, Takashi

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2020.05.042

Cited by 9 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Most publications measuring the impact of COVID-19 on RTD are based on a single questionnaire ( 8 , 13 , 14 , 18 , 19 ). Our survey, which took place over several weeks, allows for the evaluation of the impact of the pandemic on RTH treatment over time and as such illustrates the dynamic nature of how COVID-19 impacted treatment activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients and Staff in Radiation Oncology Departments in Belgium: A National Survey

et al. 2021

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Purpose: COVID-19 reached Belgium in February and quickly became a major public health challenge. It is of importance to evaluate the actual impact of COVID-19 on patients and staff in Belgian radiotherapy departments (RTDs). This was evaluated through a weekly national survey sent to departments measuring key factors that were affected by the pandemic.Materials and Methods: The Belgian SocieTy for Radiation Oncology (BeSTRO) together with the Belgian College for physicians in Radiation Oncology invited all 26 RTD to participate in a survey that started on March 2nd and was re- submitted weekly for 4 months to assess variations in time. The survey focused on: (1) the COVID-19 status of patients and staff; (2) the management of clinically suspected COVID patients and COVID positive patients; (3) the impact of COVID-19 on RTD activities; (4) its impact in radiotherapy indications and fractionation schemes.Results: Seventy-three percent of 26 RTDs completed the first survey and 57% responded to all weekly surveys. In the RTD staff, 24 members were COVID-positive of whom 67% were RTTs. Over the study period, the number of patients treated dropped by a maximum of 18.8% when compared to March 2nd. In 32.3% of COVID-positive and 54% of COVID suspected patients, treatment was continued without any interruptions. Radiotherapy indications were adapted within the 1st weeks of the survey in 47.4% of RTD, especially for urological and breast tumors. Fractionation schemes were changed in 68.4% of RTD, mainly for urological, breast, gastro-intestinal, and lung tumors.Conclusions: Between March and June 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an important decrease in treatment activity in RTD in Belgium (18.8%). The COVID-19 infection status of patients influenced the continuity of the radiotherapy schedule. Changes in indications and fractionation schedules of radiotherapy were rapidly incorporated in the different RTD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients and Staff in Radiation Oncology Departments in Belgium: A National Survey

et al. 2021

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“…The number of responding centers was limited, with a 31% response rate. This is comparable to 23.3% of the JASTRO survey [30]. Some parts of the raw data had to be transformed into continuous variables to allow statistical analysis, which might introduce bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Measures of infection prevention and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

et al. 2020

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Purpose COVID-19 infection has manifested as a major threat to both patients and healthcare providers around the world. Radiation oncology institutions (ROI) deliver a major component of cancer treatment, with protocols that might span over several weeks, with the result of increasing susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and presenting with a more severe clinical course when compared with the general population. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate the impact of ROI protocols and performance on daily practice in the high-risk cancer patients during this pandemic. Methods We addressed the incidence of positive COVID-19 cases in both patients and health care workers (HCW), in addition to the protective measures adopted in ROIs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a specific questionnaire. Results The results of the questionnaire showed that a noteworthy number of ROIs were able to complete treatment in SARS-CoV‑2 positive cancer patients, with only a short interruption. The ROIs reported a significant decrease in patient volume that was not impacted by the circumambient disease incidence, the type of ROI or the occurrence of positive cases. Of the ROIs 16.5% also reported infected HCWs. About half of the ROIs (50.5%) adopted a screening program for patients whereas only 23.3% also screened their HCWs. The range of protective measures included the creation of working groups, instituting home office work and protection with face masks. Regarding the therapeutic options offered, curative procedures were performed with either unchanged or moderately decreased schedules, whereas palliative or benign radiotherapy procedures were more often shortened. Most ROIs postponed or cancelled radiation treatment for benign indications (88.1%). The occurrence of SARS-CoV‑2 infections did not affect the treatment options for curative procedures. Non-university-based ROIs seemed to be more willing to change their treatment options for curative and palliative cases than university-based ROIs. Conclusion Most ROIs reported a deep impact of SARS-CoV‑2 infections on their work routine. Modification and prioritization of treatment regimens and the application of protective measures preserved a well-functioning radiation oncology service and patient care.

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“…The other studies focused on RT workflow and preventive protection procedures for Covid-19 infection in all patients and healthcare professionals [ 195 , 197 – 200 , 205 , 212 , 213 , 216 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Covid-19 and radiotherapy: a systematic review after 2 years of pandemic

Piras¹,

Venuti

D’Aviero³

et al. 2022

Clin Transl Imaging

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Introduction Following the Covid-19 pandemic spread, changes in clinical practice were necessary to limit the pandemic diffusion. Also, oncological practice has undergone changes with radiotherapy (RT) treatments playing a key role. Although several experiences have been published, the aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence after 2 years of pandemic to provide useful conclusions for clinicians. Methods A Pubmed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was conducted. The search strategy was “Covid AND Radiotherapy” and only original articles in the English language were considered. Results A total of 2.733 papers were obtained using the mentioned search strategy. After the complete selection process, a total of 281 papers were considered eligible for the analysis of the results. Discussion RT has played a key role in Covid-19 pandemic as it has proved more resilient than surgery and chemotherapy. The impact of the accelerated use of hypofractionated RT and telemedicine will make these strategies central also in the post-pandemic period.

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Nationwide survey of COVID-19 prevention measures in Japanese radiotherapy departments via online questionnaire for radiation oncologists

Cited by 9 publications

References 10 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients and Staff in Radiation Oncology Departments in Belgium: A National Survey

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients and Staff in Radiation Oncology Departments in Belgium: A National Survey

Measures of infection prevention and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Covid-19 and radiotherapy: a systematic review after 2 years of pandemic

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