Radiation Therapy Care During a Major Outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan

Abstract

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) challenges the prevention and protection of the cancer patients and the staff in the department of radiation oncology. Methods: At the Hubei Cancer Hospital, we organized an emergency infection control team to lead special efforts to combat COVID-19 during this challenging time. Results: Radiation therapy treatments were resumed on January 30th and have never stopped again at the hospital regardless of the circumstances of the ongoing outbreak. Between January 30th and the time of the writing, we have treated over 100 radiation therapy patients, with no incidence of on-site COVID-19 transmission between patients and health care workers in the duration. Conclusions: Our experience will help guide the practice in other regions that are or might be facing outbreaks of this disease.

Risk factors and action thresholds for the novel coronavirus pandemic. Insights from the Italian Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Survey

“…No other patient population undergoes life-saving treatments delivered in the hospital for at least 12 h a week, in the same room, with the same fellow patients for months or years. Perhaps patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or physical therapy may somewhat resemble HD patients, but most of these treatments were either re-scheduled or halted during the critical phase of the pandemic [ 28 , 29 ], consequently they cannot be considered a concurrent “control” group.…”

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

“…These documents highlight the need to maintain the safety of both patients and HCWs by avoiding or rescheduling treatments if the risk of being infected with COVID-19 outweighs the benefit of treatment, and shortening therapies as much as possible. Proper PPE seems to reduce the transmission of the virus and protects HCWs [22,23].…”

Radiation therapy considerations during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Literature review and expert opinions

“…As such, in response to the current pandemic, a number of guidelines are now published providing recommendations for practice changes to optimize use of resources and maximizing patient and personnel safety in radiation oncology clinics 28–32 . Major institutions have released operational guidance regarding practice of RT during the pandemic 33–39 . It is proposed that use of appropriate PPE both by patients and RT personnel along with effective patient/staff screening at the entrance point to the clinic will help reduce spread of the infection between asymptomatic patients and staff.…”