ABSTRACT
La actual pandemia por COVID-19 ha requeridola implementación de medidas drásticas para frenar su avance. Las instalaciones y recursos sanitarios se están destinando de forma total o parcial para la atención de pacientes críticos. Los urólogos, nos hemos encontrado durante las semanas pasadas con cambios importantes que dificultan nuestra práctica clínica diaria. Las actividades ambulatorias como consultas externas y procedimientos ambulatorios, así como las intervenciones quirúrgicas, han tenido que ser suspendidas o retrasadas. Mientras dure esta situación, la actividad médica telemática puede proveer un soporte adecuado utilizando herramientas tecnológicas y tratando de simular las consultas médicas con vídeo llamadas o llamadas por teléfono. Pero muchos servicios y departamentos médico-quirúrgicos no se encuentran listos para implementar una práctica de consultas telemáticas a gran escala porque su experiencia es escasa. Los beneficios de la telemedicina en urología son permitir el seguimiento de pacientes, dar recomendaciones, prescribir medicamentos, y realizar un triaje de qué pacientes precisan una atención presencial en urgencias. Los programas de formación de residentes de urología también han sufrido una interrupción importante de sus actividades cotidianas, ya que se han suspendido consultas, cirugías y actividad académica. En esta situación, el uso de recursos virtuales y el "aprendizaje inteligente"se están utilizando para mantener la docencia. El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar una revisión de la más reciente literatura acerca del uso de telemedicina en la práctica urológica moderna, con nuestras recomendaciones y conclusiones The COVID-19 pandemic has required drastic measures for an attempt in controlling its spread. Health resources and facilities are being destined for the treatment of critically ill infected patients. During the past weeks, we, as urologists have faced increasingly difficult changes in practice, as outpatient activity and elective surgeries must be postponed in order to save resources and limit the mobilization of patients and faculty. During this conflictive situation, telehealth medicine can provide adequate support using technological tools and trying to simulate face-to-face consults with the use of video or telephone calls. However, many outpatient clinics and facilities are not ready yet for telehealth as their experience in this area is low. The benefits for telemedicine in urology are continuing urologic outpatient follow-up, providing recommendations and prescriptions, and the triage of patients who will need urgent procedures. Urology residency training has suffered an abrupt disruption nowadays as outpatient, surgical and academic meetings are cancelled. In this scenario, virtual strategies and "smart learning"activities are being used to continue education. We provide a review of the latest published literature regarding the use of telehealth medicine or telemedicine for the modern urology practice, alongside our recommendations and conclusions
ABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Establecer unas recomendaciones o guía de actuación durante la evolución de la pandemia COVID-19 en cuanto al diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento en el campo de la Urología Reconstructiva. MATERIAL y MÉTODO: El documento se basa en la evidencia sobre SARS/Cov-2 y la experiencia de los autores en el manejo de COVID-19 en sus instituciones, incluyendo especialistas de Andalucía, Madrid, Cantabria, Comunidad Valenciana y Cataluña. Se realizó una búsqueda web y en PubMed utilizando "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "COVID-19 Urology", "COVID19 urology complications", "COVID-19 reconstructive surgery". Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura (17/5/2020) y tras la técnica de grupo nominal modificada debido a las restricciones extraordinarias, se realizó un primer borrador para unificar criterios y llegar a un rápido consenso. Finalmente, se realizó una versión definitiva, consensuada por todos los autores el 22/5/2020. RESULTADOS: Los autores definieron para la Cirugía Urológica Reconstructiva las siguientes prioridades quirúrgicas: Emergencia/Urgencia (Riesgo vital o urgencias aún en situación de normalidad), Urgencia Electiva/Alta prioridad (Patología potencialmente peligros asi se pospone más de 1 mes), Cirugía Electiva/Prioridad intermedia (Patología con poca probabilidad de ser peligrosa pero se recomienda no retrasar más de 6 meses), Cirugía demorable/Baja prioridad (Patología no peligrosa si se pospone más de 6 meses). Acorde a esta clasificación, el Grupo de Trabajo consensuó la distribución de los diferentes escenarios quirúrgicos de la Urología Reconstructiva. Además, se llegó a consenso sobre recomendaciones en cuanto al diagnóstico y seguimiento de la patología en el ámbito de la Urología Reconstructiva. CONCLUSIONES: Deben implementarse mecanismos que faciliten la agrupación de la visita médica y pruebas diagnósticas. La redistribución de los procedimientos quirúrgicos en función de los grados de prioridad es imprescindible durante el periodo de pandemia y de transición. El empleo de la telemedicina es necesario para el seguimiento, mediante vía informática, telefónica o videoconferencia OBJECTIVES: Offer some recommendations or guidelines during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in the field of Reconstructive Urology. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The document is based on the evidence on SARS/Cov-2 and the authors'experience in managing COVID-19 in their institutions, including specialists from Andalusia, Madrid, Cantabria, the Valencian Community and Catalonia. A web and PubMed search was performed using "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "COVID-19 Urology", "COVID19 urology complications", "COVID-19 reconstructive surgery". A narrative review of the literature was carried out (5/17/2020) and after the nominal group technique modified due to the extraordinary restrictions, a first draft was made to unify criteria and reach a quick consensus. Finally, a definitive version was made, agreed by all the authors (5/22/2020). RESULTS: The authors defined the following surgical priorities for Urological Reconstructive Surgery: Emergency/ Urgency (life-threatening or emergencies still in a normal situation), Elective Urgency/High priority (potentially dangerous pathology if postponed for more than 1 month), Elective Surgery/Intermediate priority (pathology with little probability of being dangerous but it is recommended not to delay more than 6 months), Delayed surgery/Low priority (non-dangerous pathology if it is postponed for more than 6 months). According to this classification, the Working Group agreed on the distribution of the different surgical scenarios of Reconstructive Urology. In addition, consensus was reached on recommendations regarding the diagnosis and follow-up of pathology in the field of Reconstructive Urology. CONCLUSIONS: Tools should be implemented to facilitate the gathering of the medical visit and diagnostic tests. Redistribution of surgical procedures based on priority degrees is necessary during the pandemic and transition period. The use of telemedicine is essential for follow-up, by computer, telephone or videoconference
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Offer some recommendations or guidelines during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of diagnosis, treatment and follow-upin the field of Reconstructive Urology. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The document is based on the evidence on SARS/Cov-2 and the authors' experience in managing COVID-19 in their institutions, including specialists from Andalusia, Madrid, Cantabria,the Valencian Community and Catalonia. A web and PubMed search was performed using "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "COVID-19 Urology", "COVID19 urology complications", "COVID-19 reconstructive surgery".A narrative review of the literature was carried out (5/17/2020) and after the nominal group technique modified due to the extraordinary restrictions, a first draft was made to unify criteria and reach a quick consensus. Finally, a definitive version was made, agreed by all the authors (5/22/2020). RESULTS: The authors defined the following surgical priorities for Urological Reconstructive Surgery: Emergency/Urgency (life-threatening or emergencies still in anormal situation), Elective Urgency/High priority (potentially dangerous pathology if postponed for more than 1month), Elective Surgery/Intermediate priority (pathology with little probability of being dangerous but it is recommended not to delay more than 6 months), Delayed surgery/Low priority (non-dangerous pathology if it is postponed for more than 6 months). According to this classification, the Working Group agreed on the distribution of the different surgical scenarios of Reconstructive Urology. In addition, consensus was reached on recommendations regarding the diagnosis and follow-up of pathology in the field of Reconstructive Urology. CONCLUSIONS: Tools should be implemented to facilitate the gathering of the medical visit and diagnostic tests. Redistribution of surgical procedures based on priority degrees is necessary during the pandemic and transition period. The use of telemedicine is essential forfollow-up, by computer, telephone or videoconference.