ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a life-threatening disease often with curative therapy approaches, high risk of relapse and distressing symptoms, which require immediate, quality-assured care throughout the entire therapy process including rehabilitation, even in a pandemie. METHODS: We started to develop a pandemic plan to maintain oncological rehabilitation in February 2020. With the involvement of the whole clinic staff we developed protection scenarios with the aim of achieving Covid-19-free clinics. Schedules were developed and implemented based on the epidemiological bulletins of the RKI (Robert Koch Institute, Germany) of 2017 (influenza infection) and 2020 (Covid-19). The effects of these measures were evaluated by means of a patient and employee survey. RESULTS: The challenges of the pandemic have been successfully implemented. Both the patient and employee surveys showed a high level of acceptance of the measures. For example, 98.5% of patients stated that the continuation of rehabilitation was important for their health, even in the pandemic situation. At the same time, 87% felt safe. 88% of all employees (MA) and 93% of MA in the risk group stated that the protective measures were introduced at the right time. At the same time, 76% of all employees and 84% of the employees in the risk group agreed with the additional burden. In spite of the high risk potential in the clinics (immunocompromised patients, patients from different districts with different levels of exposure), an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be avoided in the clinics. CONCLUSION: The timely roll-out of adapted pandemic rules in rehabilitation clinics enables the continuation of high-quality oncological rehabilitation even in pandemic times and thus contributes to a stabilisation of the supply chain for cancer diseases. A high level of acceptance of the measures among patients and hospital staff was evaluated.