TY - JOUR
T1 - Oncology Treatments during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel
T2 - The ONCOR Study
AU - Hirsh-Yechezkel, Galit
AU - Chetrit, Angela
AU - Avraham, Sivan Ben
AU - Agbarya, Abed
AU - Yakobson, Alexander
AU - Asna, Noam
AU - Bar-Sela, Gil
AU - Ben-Aharon, Irit
AU - Ben-Baruch, Noa Efrat
AU - Berger, Raanan
AU - Brenner, Ronen
AU - Gottfried, Maya
AU - Paluch-Shimon, Shani
AU - Pfeffer, Raphael
AU - Popovtzer, Aran
AU - Ryvo, Larisa
AU - Semenisty, Valeriya
AU - Shai, Ayelet
AU - Shulman, Katerina
AU - Zidan, Jamal
AU - Wolf, Ido
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Israel Medical Association. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/12/1
Y1 - 2021/12/1
N2 - Background: The increased susceptibility of cancer patients to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infections and complications calls for special precautions while treating cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, oncology departments have had to implement a wide array of prevention measures. Objectives: To address issues associated with cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the implementation of measures aimed at containment of COVID-19 diffusion while allowing continuation of quality cancer care. Methods: A national survey among oncology departments in Israel was conducted between 12 April 2020 and 14 April 2020. Eighteen heads of hospital-based oncology departments completed a self-report questionnaire regarding their institute's preparedness for treatment of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this national survey, prevention measures against COVID-19 spread were taken prior to patients' arrival and at arrival or while staying in the departments. Most participants (78-89%) reported using a quick triage of patients and caregivers prior to their entrance to the oncology units, limiting the entrance of caregivers, and reducing unnecessary visits to the clinic. Switching to oral therapies rather than intravenous ones when possible was considered by 82% and shortage in personal protective equipment was reported by five (28%) heads of oncology departments. Some differences between large and small/ medium sized medical centers were observed regarding issues related to COVID-19 containment measures and changes in treatment. Conclusions: Oncology departments in Israel were able to prepare and adapt their services to guidelines and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic with little harm to their treatment capacity.
AB - Background: The increased susceptibility of cancer patients to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infections and complications calls for special precautions while treating cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, oncology departments have had to implement a wide array of prevention measures. Objectives: To address issues associated with cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the implementation of measures aimed at containment of COVID-19 diffusion while allowing continuation of quality cancer care. Methods: A national survey among oncology departments in Israel was conducted between 12 April 2020 and 14 April 2020. Eighteen heads of hospital-based oncology departments completed a self-report questionnaire regarding their institute's preparedness for treatment of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this national survey, prevention measures against COVID-19 spread were taken prior to patients' arrival and at arrival or while staying in the departments. Most participants (78-89%) reported using a quick triage of patients and caregivers prior to their entrance to the oncology units, limiting the entrance of caregivers, and reducing unnecessary visits to the clinic. Switching to oral therapies rather than intravenous ones when possible was considered by 82% and shortage in personal protective equipment was reported by five (28%) heads of oncology departments. Some differences between large and small/ medium sized medical centers were observed regarding issues related to COVID-19 containment measures and changes in treatment. Conclusions: Oncology departments in Israel were able to prepare and adapt their services to guidelines and requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic with little harm to their treatment capacity.
KW - Cancer and COVID-19
KW - Cancer patient management
KW - Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)
KW - Oncologic treatment
KW - Preparation of healthcare system
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85123037570
M3 - Article
C2 - 34954913
AN - SCOPUS:85123037570
SN - 1565-1088
VL - 23
SP - 759
EP - 765
JO - Israel Medical Association Journal
JF - Israel Medical Association Journal
IS - 12
ER -
