ABSTRACT
Background: The health emergency caused by the SarS-Cov-2 pandemic has a strong impact on oncological patients' (pts) life. The purpose of this study is to explore the emotional impact and pts' perception experienced who accessed to our Oncology section at University Hospital and Trust of Verona (Italy) regarding these rules. Method(s): An questionnaire was designed by our Psycho-Oncology service and administered to all pts accessing to our outpatient facilities during a 21-days period (April 9th - April 30th, 2020). Two main areas were investigated: i) organizational aspects and ii) awareness about infection risks, protective strategies, and new rules adopted (14 items, plus demographic data). Percentage of relevant answers to questionnaire items are reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Result(s): Among 241 respondents, fear of accessing hospital facilities and that chemotherapy treatment could increase the infection risk was reported to be quite high or high in 34% (95% CI: 29-41%) and 27% (95% CI: 21-33%), respectively. Awareness of disease-related risks of infection and strategies to reduce them was "very clear" or "fairly clear" [83% (95% CI: 78-88%) and 93% (95% CI: 90-96%), respectively]. Availability of medical personnel to be contacted while not in hospital was perceived as "very high". Almost all pts felt that organizational measures were clearly expressed (98%, 95% CI: 96-100%) and mainly obtained through the information received at the triage (73%, 95% CI: 67-79%). Overall acceptance of these measures was very high (>70%). Of note, the acceptance of phone-based follow-up and visits were perceived as "not very adequate" or "absolutely not adequate" by 17% (95% CI: 12-22 %) and 18% (95% CI: 13-23%) of respondents, respectively. Conclusion(s): Herein, we report among the first real-life experiences about oncological pts' perception of infection risks and their level of acceptance of protective measures during SarS-Cov-2 pandemic. A timely and thoughtful measures adoption, the coordinated efforts of all figures involved in cancer care and an effective communication strategy to share the necessary risks and sacrifices with pts/caregivers, can lead to effective protection of oncological pts. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding(s): Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Copyright © 2020
ABSTRACT
Background: On February 23rd the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed at the University Hospital Trust of Verona, Italy. On March 13th, the Oncology Section was converted into a 22 inpatient beds COVID unit and we had to reshape our organization and personnel to face the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, while maintaining our oncological activity. Methods: We tracked down oncological activity from January 1st to March 31st, 2020, in relationship to the organizational changes implemented and in comparison to the same period of 2019. We also recorded cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections observed in oncology health professionals and hospital admissions of active oncology patients for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: Progressive restrictions in patients', visitors', and caregivers' access to the inpatient and outpatient facilities of the Oncology section and organizational changes were adopted early on during the epidemic peak. Since March 13th, segregated personnel teams were created, one dedicated to the COVID unit and a "clean" one dedicated to oncological patients, resulting in an overall 40% and 43% reduction in oncology-dedicated medical and nursing/auxiliary staff, respectively. As compared with the same trimester in 2019, the overall reduction in total numbers of inpatient admissions, chemotherapy administrations, and specialty visits in the period January-March 2020 was 8%, 6%, and 3%, respectively;based on the weekly average of daily accesses, reduction in some of the oncological activities became statistically significant from week 11. Patient's acceptance of adopted measures was very high (see abstract by Tregnago D). Overall, 8/85 (9%) health professionals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (no hospital admissions and no treatment required) and 7/525 (1.3%) active oncology patients were admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection (of whom, 2 died of infection-related complications). Conclusions: A minimal (<10%) reduction in Oncology activity was registered during the peak of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Verona, Italy. Organizational and protective measures adopted appear to have contributed to keep infections in both health professionals and oncological patients to a minimum. Legal entity responsible for the study: University of Verona. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.