Investigating the initial effect of COVID-19 on the functioning of outpatient diagnostic imaging facilities.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci
; 51(4): 574-578, 2020 12.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-894050
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient diagnostic imaging (DI) facilities experienced decreased operations and even unprecedented closures. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the practices of DI clinics, and investigate the reasons for the change in their operations during the initial period of the pandemic starting in mid-March 2020. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A questionnaire was created and distributed to the managers of eighteen outpatient DI clinics in London, Hamilton, and Halton, Ontario, Canada. The managers indicated whether their clinics had closed or decreased operations, the reasons for closure, and the types of imaging examinations conducted in the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic.RESULTS:
Fifty percent of the DI clinics surveyed (9/18) closed as a result of COVID-19, and those that remained open had decreased hours of operation. The clinics that closed indicated decreased referrals as the primary reason for closure, followed by staff shortage, concerns for safety, and suspension of elective imaging. Chest radiography and obstetric ultrasound were the most commonly conducted examinations. Clinics that were in close geographical proximity were able to redistribute imaging examinations amongst themselves. All DI clinics had suspended BMD examinations and elective breast screening, and some transitioned to booked appointments only.CONCLUSION:
Many DI clinics needed to close or decrease operations as a result of COVID-19, a phenomenon that is unprecedented in radiological practice. The results of this study can assist outpatient DI clinics in preparing for subsequent waves of COVID-19, future pandemics, and other periods of crisis.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Diagnostic Imaging
/
Telemedicine
/
Health Care Surveys
/
Ambulatory Care Facilities
/
COVID-19
/
Health Facility Closure
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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