North East London coronavirus disease 2019 protocol for diagnostics in two-week wait head and neck cancer patients.
J Laryngol Otol
; 134(8): 680-683, 2020 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-604803
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic requires urgent modification to existing head and neck cancer diagnosis and management practices. A protocol was established that utilises risk stratification, early investigation prior to clinical review and a reduction in aerosol generating procedures to lessen the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 spread.METHODS:
Two-week wait referrals were stratified into low, intermediate and high risk. Low risk patients were referred back to primary care with advice; intermediate and high risk patients underwent investigation. Clinical encounters and aerosol generating procedures were minimised. A combined diagnostic and therapeutic surgical approach was undertaken where possible.RESULTS:
Forty-one patients were used to assess feasibility. Thirty-one per cent were low risk, 35 per cent were intermediate and 33 per cent were high risk. Thirty-three per cent were discharged with no imaging.CONCLUSION:
Implementing this protocol reduces the future burden on tertiary services, by empowering primary care physicians to re-refer low risk patients. The protocol is applicable across the UK and avoids diagnostic delay.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Laryngol Otol
Journal subject:
Otolaryngology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S0022215120001267
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