Ultimately complex brachytherapy may become an issue due to limited number of anesthesia personell available to support us, we already have some slow down in the capacity available there. If things turn very ugly, I can imagine some of our technicians being called up to help out in the radiology department, performing scans.
Pressure to do more at my place. Somebody's gotta make up for the shortfalls elsewhere.
Thus far no, but I’ve seen an uptick in patients either previously diagnosed with COVID, other employees, relatives etc so I feel like it’s coming soon.
I called a Monday followup to see if she needed anything, and move her to march if not. She's a local nurse, and was at home with covid.
I would document admin's refusal to let you treat in the chart. Let them share the blame if the patient fails.
I would actually love to do this after inheriting quite a few follow ups from the prior doctor that won't let me unload them. Covid could be my chance!
I’m also doing this as well. Not sure many patients will tolerate taking time off and driving to an appointment just to hear “everything looks good in your scan.”
Well put. I completely understand.
Me? Do unnecessary BS in early stage breast?
Review scans? Sometimes radiologists aren't perfect
Also let’s face it, I don’t trust that my fellow med oncs would know when to bring back radiation into the equation. As I’ve said before, they are willing to “wait and see” what the chemo does for anything that may come in in the future (bone mets, lung nodules, brain Mets, uncontrollable bleeding, cord compression, early stage lung cancers, prostate, lymphoma, etc).
More than once, I've seen patients back in fu who develop new sx of pain and after examining them and reviewing the pet or ct, catch new lesions which were missed on the report and end up leading to new ebrt cases...
I usually let the Palliative pts go back, but it's something to think about if you have the clinic time
These days all I’m seeing are palliative cases. This would be a good time to make my pun but I will be civilized for once.
Scans? I'd say >50% of my follow-ups do not need scans (breast, prostate).
I can't recall the last time I ever saw a palliative patient even at 1 mo. Med oncs & patients aren't stupid and know what to do (or can be taught) if the time comes for more palliation.
Also good to get some lead time in just in case the first wave starts dropping like flies. I find this fair as well. Now the question is will the entire team get vaccinated (front desk, admin, etc).
Will be getting vaccine on Tuesday. Only 2 therapists were willing.
The other big argument is staying open consistently. Not much redundancy built into rural departments.
Shouldn't be surprising considering public polling on it
An FDA cleared but not FDA approved vaccine that Trump assures the public is safe and a miracle that only he and his "perfect" leadership could have pushed through?
I thought mortality was still a little higher than that, besides, surviving isn't always a walk in the park
From the linked study
US has been abysmal with mortality rates compared to other countries, despite our more advanced capabilities
False. The stats can still easily work considering the VAST majority of deaths are in those above the age of 70, with a median age of COVID related death in the US around age 80. The 0.05% screens out the high risk population >70, which was pointed out clearly in the posts. Read the actual studies and posts before you commence with the strawmanning. The 2 studies I cited are the highest quality data available on the subject.
