Impact of COVID‐19 lockdown on routine oncology versus emergency care at a high volume cancer centre

• DOI: 10.1111/eci.13623
• Publication Date: 2021-06-04T15:17:07Z
• Authors: Christoph Minichs...; Georg Jeryczynski; Christoph Krall; Alina Magdalena A...; Ariane Caraan; Sabina Pasalic; Katharina Reininger; Christina Wagner; Rupert Bartsch; Matthias Preusser; Anton Laggner; Markus Raderer; Thorsten Fuereder
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus

We investigated the influence of population-wide COVID-19 lockdown measures implemented on 16, March 2020 routine and emergency care cancer outpatients at a tertiary centre in Vienna, Austria.We compared number/visits receiving oncological therapies oncologic day clinic (DC) admissions department (ED) our institution time periods before (pre-lockdown period: 1 January - 15 2020) after (post-lockdown 16 March- 31 May implementation with respective reference 2018 2019. Additionally, we analysed Emergency Severity Index (ESI) score unplanned patient presentations to ED same post-lockdown periods. Patient outcome was described as 3-month mortality rate (3-MM).In total, 703 visits DC 2664 for were recorded ED. No decrease observed (P = .351), whereas substantial seen < .001). This translates into 26%-31% reduction cancer-related per half month .001 vs. + 2019). There no difference distribution ESI scores presentation .805), admission rates or 3-MM association .086).We demonstrate feasibility maintaining antineoplastic therapy administration during pandemic. However, data underline need adapted management strategies patients.