Post-pandemic era: promoting regular epidemic prevention and control in radiology department

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is still recurring so far. Considering that a great number of patients do examination in the same room and thus are exposed to high risks of cross infection, we should promote the epidemic prevention in the radiology department to prevent cross infection and another outbreak. Therefore, this article aims to share the experience and protocols of the radiology department of our hospital so as to help more hospitals and their radiology medical staff in epidemic prevention. Methods: We firstly collected three major epidemic prevention policies formulated by the radiology department since the outbreak, and then drew the schematic diagrams of patients' treatment routes under each measure, including the infection control team, the reconfiguration of the radiology department and the Examination procedures for patients with COVID-19. After three stages, we finally provide a specific machine for patients with COVID-19 to examine. Results: From January 18, 2020, our hospital has received 113 patients with COVID-19, among which 112 patients were discharged and 1 were dead. The total number of outpatients with fever-CT examinations was 2870, that of inpatients were 477. The number of DR exposures was 87, that of US examinations were 207, and that of MRI examinations was 148. No medical workers in the radiology department were diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusions: Imaging examination has been an indispensable diagnostic method for COVID-19 since the outbreak. As the global epidemic situation is still unstable at present, radiology departments need to constantly improve the corresponding epidemic prevention and control measures, and formulate effective inspection plans for the patients with COVID-19, which can help patients and staff protect themselves against a high risk of COVID-19.