Effective Cancer Patient Management Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in China has demonstrated the importance of developing strategic plans for managing cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the severe shortage of medical resources and the increased risk of viral infection, hospitals in epidemic areas reduced non-emergency admissions and services, resulting in delayed cancer treatment and poor prognosis for patients. To address this issue, the hospital implemented infection-control interventions, including viral nucleic acid testing, to ensure the safety of both patients and medical staff.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in China implemented a strategic plan to manage cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing patient safety and timely treatment.
  • The hospital's infection-control interventions, including viral nucleic acid testing, were effective in screening cancer patients and preventing the spread of the virus.
  • The study found that cancer patients were not at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that viral nucleic acid testing could be a reliable method for screening patients in areas with moderate COVID-19 prevalence.
  • The hospital's plan included controlling the number of non-emergency medical wards, providing staff with COVID-19 preventive training, and implementing three levels of protection according to the risk of their services.
  • A total of 3697 inpatients and 416 outpatients seeking cancer treatment were enrolled in the study from February 1 to April 3, 2020.
  • All staff members received COVID-19 preventive training and were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize the risk of infection.
  • The study concluded that the hospital's infection-control interventions were effective in preventing the spread of the virus among patients, visitors, and medical staff.

Statistics:

  • 3697 inpatients and 416 outpatients seeking cancer treatment were enrolled in the study from February 1 to April 3, 2020.
  • 4237 samples from 4101 patients produced negative RNA testing results.
  • Four clinically suspected patients presented negative RNA test results and were excluded from the SARS-CoV-2 infection through follow-up retesting and monitoring.
  • Seven patients with only N-gene positive results were retested, followed by CT scan and SARS-CoV-2 contact history investigation, and were finally diagnosed as non-infected patients.
  • One outpatient was confirmed positive by virus RNA test and was followed up as a potentially asymptomatic laboratory-confirmed case.
  • No SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported among staff, patients, and escorts of patients in the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital during the study period.

Sources:

  • BMC Cancer, 2020,20(1):1-12. (BMC Cancer - http://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com)
  • Cancer patient management strategy in a Cancer Center of Zhejiang, China during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Songxiao Xu et al. "Cancer patient management strategy in a Cancer Center of Zhejiang, China during the COVID-19 pandemic." BMC Cancer 20, no. 1 (2020): 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12885-020-07577-8