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So, I am not here to spread panic, but: You have seen that contingency plans have been implemented in several countries aimed at containment of COVID-19.
a) Towns / Regions have been locked down, not allowing anyone in and out
b) People presenting with symptoms pointing at possible infection but with mild symptoms or those who have had contact with people who are infected are being sent home and told to stay there for 14+ days.
c) Extensive decontamination of surfaces / rooms is necessary in hospitals after a patients with COVID have been there.
Have you guys formulated any plans for your clinic / department in case virus spread continues?
Scenarios on how it's gonna spread are variable. I have seen a wide range of figures ranging up to "40% of earth's population get's it"
We are not seeing any additional burden right now despite the fact that we had confirmed infections in the area, since authorities have not implemented measures that seriously affect us, however we thought about a-c and how this would affect our clinic.
a) What happens with patients that have to travel to come to us and are outside any kind of quarantine zone imposed? The same question is valid for colleagues who live outside a quarantine zone which includes the hospital /practice.
b) Is a major issue for co-workers. If a sizable number of them are sent home and told to stay there for 14+ days, how are supposed to operate our clinic and treat patients? The same goes of course for patients, but one could try to put those who may be infected but need radiation treatment in hospital wards, so that they can still come to treatment. The next issue of course is going to be than in an event of wide spread of COVID, there won't be enough beds for everyone...
A big issue are kids. Some countries have been shutting down daycare & schools (--> Japan). Who is supposed to take care of them at home? Health officials have advised against calling grandpa and grandman, since they seem to be the group that is affected the most by COVID, thus letting them take care of the kids (who may be bearing the virus) may put them at higher risk.
c) I witnessed a CT room being sterilized after a patient, who was tested positive for the COVID, got a CT scan there. It took ... hours, although I do presume there's a "learning curve" or perhaps extreme precaution still in this early phase. Now imagine having a few patients with COVID and clear indications for RT, for example a SCCHN patient on his 4th week of irradiation who develops fever and tests positive for COVID. You can't stop treatment for 14+ days, until he's clear... When/How are you going to treat him? Should those who have the "luxury" of multi-rooms simple designate a linear accelerator only for COVID-confirmed cases and one for the rest?
Questions, questions... Any ideas?
Cheers and stay safe!
a) Towns / Regions have been locked down, not allowing anyone in and out
b) People presenting with symptoms pointing at possible infection but with mild symptoms or those who have had contact with people who are infected are being sent home and told to stay there for 14+ days.
c) Extensive decontamination of surfaces / rooms is necessary in hospitals after a patients with COVID have been there.
Have you guys formulated any plans for your clinic / department in case virus spread continues?
Scenarios on how it's gonna spread are variable. I have seen a wide range of figures ranging up to "40% of earth's population get's it"
We are not seeing any additional burden right now despite the fact that we had confirmed infections in the area, since authorities have not implemented measures that seriously affect us, however we thought about a-c and how this would affect our clinic.
a) What happens with patients that have to travel to come to us and are outside any kind of quarantine zone imposed? The same question is valid for colleagues who live outside a quarantine zone which includes the hospital /practice.
b) Is a major issue for co-workers. If a sizable number of them are sent home and told to stay there for 14+ days, how are supposed to operate our clinic and treat patients? The same goes of course for patients, but one could try to put those who may be infected but need radiation treatment in hospital wards, so that they can still come to treatment. The next issue of course is going to be than in an event of wide spread of COVID, there won't be enough beds for everyone...
A big issue are kids. Some countries have been shutting down daycare & schools (--> Japan). Who is supposed to take care of them at home? Health officials have advised against calling grandpa and grandman, since they seem to be the group that is affected the most by COVID, thus letting them take care of the kids (who may be bearing the virus) may put them at higher risk.
c) I witnessed a CT room being sterilized after a patient, who was tested positive for the COVID, got a CT scan there. It took ... hours, although I do presume there's a "learning curve" or perhaps extreme precaution still in this early phase. Now imagine having a few patients with COVID and clear indications for RT, for example a SCCHN patient on his 4th week of irradiation who develops fever and tests positive for COVID. You can't stop treatment for 14+ days, until he's clear... When/How are you going to treat him? Should those who have the "luxury" of multi-rooms simple designate a linear accelerator only for COVID-confirmed cases and one for the rest?
Questions, questions... Any ideas?
Cheers and stay safe!
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