1. How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted on Integrated Care Pathways for Lung Cancer: The Parallel Experience of a COVID-Spared and a COVID-Dedicated Center.
- Author
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Pasello, Giulia, Menis, Jessica, Pilotto, Sara, Frega, Stefano, Belluomini, Lorenzo, Pezzuto, Federica, Caliò, Anna, Sepulcri, Matteo, Cernusco, Nunzia Luna Valentina, Schiavon, Marco, Infante, Maurizio Valentino, Damin, Marco, Micheletto, Claudio, Del Bianco, Paola, Giovannetti, Riccardo, Bonanno, Laura, Fantoni, Umberto, Guarneri, Valentina, Calabrese, Fiorella, and Rea, Federico
- Subjects
COVID-19 pandemic ,LUNG cancer ,INTEGRATIVE medicine ,HYPOPHARYNGEAL cancer ,HEALTH services accessibility ,COVID-19 ,ONCOLOGY nursing ,ONCOLOGISTS - Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a historic challenge for healthcare systems, particularly with regard to cancer patients. So far, very limited data have been presented on the impact on integrated care pathways (ICPs). Methods: We reviewed the ICPs of lung cancer patients who accessed the Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV)/University Hospital of Padua (Center 1) and the University Hospital of Verona (Center 2) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, through sixteen indicators chosen by the members of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Results: Two window periods (March and April 2019 and 2020) were chosen for comparison. Endoscopic diagnostic procedures and major resections for early stage NSCLC patients increased at Center 1, where a priority pathway with dedicated personnel was established for cancer patients. A slight decrease was observed at Center 2 which became part of the COVID unit. Personnel shortage and different processing methods of tumor samples determined a slightly longer time for diagnostic pathway completion at both Centers. Personnel protection strategies led to a MDT reshape on a web basis and to a significant selection of cases to be discussed in both Centers. The optimization of patient access to healthcare units reduced first outpatient oncological visits, patient enrollment in clinical trials, and end-of-life cancer systemic treatments; finally, a higher proportion of hypofractionation was delivered as a radiotherapy approach for early stage and locally advanced NSCLC. Conclusions: Based on the experience of the two Centers, we identified the key steps in ICP that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so as to proactively put in place a robust service provision of thoracic oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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