Matuschek, C.* ; Fischer, J.C.* ; Combs, S.E. ; Fietkau, R.* ; Corradini, S.* ; Zänker, K.* ; Bölke, E.* ; Djiepmo-Njanang, F.J.* ; Tamaskovics, B.* ; Fischer, J.E.* ; Stuschke, M.* ; Pöttgen, C.* ; Förster, R.* ; Zwahlen, D.R.* ; Papachristofilou, A.* ; Ganswindt, U.* ; Pelka, R.* ; Schneider, E.M.* ; Feldt, T.* ; Jensen, B.E.O.* ; Häussinger, D.* ; Knoefel, W.T.* ; Kindgen-Milles, D.* ; Pedoto, A.* ; Grebe, O.* ; van Griensven, M.* ; Budach, W.* ; Haussmann, J.*
Measures of infection prevention and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Strahlenther. Onkol. 196, 1068-1079 (2020)
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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Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Typ der Hochschulschrift
Herausgeber
Schlagwörter
Covid-19 ; Oncology ; Radiation Oncoloy ; Pandemic ; Patient Care; Covid-19
Keywords plus
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2020
Prepublished im Jahr
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2020
ISSN (print) / ISBN
0179-7158
e-ISSN
1439-099X
ISBN
Bandtitel
Konferenztitel
Konferzenzdatum
Konferenzort
Konferenzband
Quellenangaben
Band: 196,
Heft: 12,
Seiten: 1068-1079
Artikelnummer: ,
Supplement: ,
Reihe
Verlag
Urban & Vogel
Verlagsort
Tiergartenstrasse 17, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany
Tag d. mündl. Prüfung
0000-00-00
Betreuer
Gutachter
Prüfer
Topic
Hochschule
Hochschulort
Fakultät
Veröffentlichungsdatum
0000-00-00
Anmeldedatum
0000-00-00
Anmelder/Inhaber
weitere Inhaber
Anmeldeland
Priorität
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
POF Topic(s)
30203 - Molecular Targets and Therapies
Forschungsfeld(er)
Radiation Sciences
PSP-Element(e)
G-501300-001
Förderungen
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2020-11-02