Histopathology Quiz

[摘要] Background COVID-19 appeared in late 2019, causing apandemic spread. This led to a reorganisation of oncologycare in order to reduce the risk of spreading infectionbetween patients and healthcare staff. Here we analysedmeasures taken in major oncological units in Europe andthe USA.Methods A 46-item survey was sent by email torepresentatives of 30 oncological centres in 12 of the mostaffected countries. The survey inquired about preventivemeasures established to reduce virus spread, patienteducation and processes employed for risk reduction ineach oncological unit.Results Investigators from 21 centres in 10 countriesanswered the survey between 10 April and 6 May 2020.A triage for patients with cancer before hospital orclinic visits was conducted by 90.5% of centres beforeconsultations, 95.2% before day care admissions and in100% of the cases before overnight hospitalisation bymeans of phone calls, interactive online platforms, swabtest and/or chest CT scan. Permission for caregivers toattend clinic visits was limited in many centres, with someexceptions (ie, for non-autonomous patients, in the caseof a new diagnosis, when bad news was expected and forterminally ill patients). With a variable delay period, theuse of personal protective equipment was unanimouslymandatory, and in many centres, only targeted clinical andinstrumental examinations were performed. Telemedicinewas implemented in 76.2% of the centres. Separatedpathways for COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negativepatients were organised, with separate inpatient units andday care areas. Self-isolation was required for COVID-19-positive or symptomatic staff, while return to work policiesrequired a negative swab test in 76.2% of the centres.Conclusion Many pragmatic measures have beenquickly implemented to deal with the health emergencylinked to COVID-19, although the relative efficacy ofeach intervention should be further analysed in largeobservational studies.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学