ABSTRACT
Targeted ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy has been used in the management of a wide variety of dermatological clinical conditions including moderate to severe psoriasis unresponsive to topical therapies, vitiligo, severe atopic dermatitis and lymphoproliferative disorders. To date there are no uniform, standardised guidelines for the selection and decontamination process for UV personal protective equipment (PPE) and facial shields used in phototherapy. In the current climate, Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, standards regarding all decontamination and disinfection processes are under significant scrutiny. In terms of the UV-PPE and facial shields used in phototherapy, careful disinfection procedures need to be implemented to ensure that the decontamination practice is effective enough to neutralise the virulent virus whilst maintaining maximal protection to the user from UV-rays and safeguard the equipment from damage during the cleaning process. The aim of this report is to provide an evidence based review of the current and international practice standards guiding the selection, use and decontamination processes of UV facial shields in phototherapy. The complications and concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on this practice is highlighted. As such, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the literature to provide recommendations as to the most effective, time efficient and safest practices for disinfection and decontamination of UV facial shields used in phototherapy during these unprecedented times.
ABSTRACT
Aims To assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on pigmented lesion referrals and melanoma diagnoses in our institution. Methods Data on NCCP pigmented lesion e-referrals and melanoma diagnoses in a single dermatology centre in 2020 were compared with 2019. Results E-referrals received were lowest in April 2020 (17 compared with 76 in April 2019). Melanoma diagnoses in Q2 2020 (n=15) were two-thirds lower than in Q2 2019 (n=45). Clinical stage 1 melanomas diagnosed in 2020 (n=44) were 41% lower than in 2019 (n=74). Clinical stage 2 melanomas increased from 3 in Q2 2020 to 16 in Q3 2020, which is double the number in Q3 2019 (n=8). Total number of cutaneous melanoma diagnoses were 18% lower in 2020 compared with 2019. Discussion Pigmented lesion referrals and melanoma diagnoses significantly reduced during lockdown with a trend for increased clinical stage 2 melanomas in later months of 2020. It will be several months before the true impact of COVID-19 on melanoma diagnoses is known.