Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 251 East Huron Street, Galter Pavilion, LC-178, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 12;18(10):5095. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105095.
A comprehensive response to the unprecedented SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) challenges for public health and its impact on radiation oncology patients and personnel for resilience and adaptability is presented.
The general recommendations included working remotely when feasible, implementation of screening/safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines, social distancing, regular cleaning of treatment environment, and testing for high-risk patients/procedures. All teaching conferences, tumor boards, and weekly chart rounds were conducted using a virtual platform. Additionally, specific recommendations were given to each section to ensure proper patient treatments. The impact of these measures, especially adaptability and resilience, were evaluated through specific questionnaire surveys.
These comprehensive COVID-19-related measures resulted in most staff expressing a consistent level of satisfaction in regard to personal safety, maintaining a safe work environment, continuing quality patient care, and continuing educational activities during the pandemic. There was a significant reduction in patient treatments and on-site patient visits with an appreciable increase in the number of telemedicine e-visits.
Survey results demonstrated substantial adaptability and resilience, including in the rapid recovery of departmental activities during the reactivation phase. In the event of a future public health emergency, the measures implemented may be adopted with good outcomes by radiation oncology departments across the globe.
为了应对 SARS-CoV-2（COVID-19）对公共卫生带来的前所未有的挑战，以及对放射肿瘤学患者和医务人员的影响，我们提出了提高韧性和适应性的综合应对措施。
一般建议包括在可行的情况下远程工作，实施筛查/安全和个人防护设备（PPE）指南，保持社交距离，定期清洁治疗环境，对高风险患者/程序进行检测。所有教学会议、肿瘤委员会和每周图表审查都使用虚拟平台进行。此外，还向每个科室提供了具体建议，以确保患者得到适当的治疗。通过特定的问卷调查评估了这些措施的效果，特别是适应性和韧性。
这些全面的 COVID-19 相关措施使大多数员工对个人安全、保持安全的工作环境、继续提供高质量的患者护理以及在大流行期间继续进行教育活动表示一致程度的满意。患者治疗和现场患者就诊数量显著减少，而远程医疗电子就诊数量显著增加。
调查结果表明，该部门具有很强的适应性和韧性，包括在重新激活阶段部门活动的快速恢复。在未来发生公共卫生紧急情况时，全球放射肿瘤学部门可能会采用这些已实施的措施，并取得良好的效果。
