Abstract
BackgroundThe Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. Most countries employed measures to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection which include shielding, quarantine, lockdown, travel restrictions, physical distancing and the use of personal protective equipment. This study was carried out to assess the change in patient attendance and the efficacy of newly implemented strategies to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on services at the Lanka Hospital Blood Cancer Centre (LHBCC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.MethodologyTelephone consultation, infection control, personal protective measures and emergency admission policy were implemented with the aim of having a Covid-19 free ward and to prevent cross-infections. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 1399 patient episodes (in-patient care or day-case review). We analysed patients treated as in-patient as well as day-case basis between 01st April 2020 and 31st December 2020.ResultsThere were 977 day-case based episodes and 422 in-patient based episodes. There was a 14% drop in episode numbers compared to same period in 2019. There was no cross infection and no patients with Covid-19 related symptoms or positive test results entered the LHBCC during the study period.ConclusionServices in blood cancer care were maintained to prevent late stage presentation and adverse outcome. Measures implemented to prevent Covid-19 were effective to allow continuation of treatment. This study highlights the importance of implementing strict protocols, clinical screening, use of appropriate personal protective equipment in delivering blood cancer care during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the only documented study relating to outcome and successful applicability of measures to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection and maintaining services among blood cancer patients in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Haemato-Oncology patients have a higher risk of acquiring infections
This study was carried out to assess the change in patient attendance and the efficacy of newly implemented strategies to mitigate the impact of Covid19 on services at the Lanka Hospital Blood Cancer Centre (LHBCC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka
There was no cross infection and no patients with Covid-19 related symptoms or positive test results entered the LHBCC during the study period
Summary
Haemato-Oncology patients have a higher risk of acquiring infections. It has been known for decades that infection is the main cause of death in patients with blood cancer [1]. Due to complexity of haematological malignancies, complications due to treatment, comorbidities associated with increasing age, these patients require multidisciplinary strategies and care from staff experienced in blood cancer management. Three-phase approach in the bed site is proposed in handling patients with Covid-19 infection [3]. It has dramatically changed global health care deliveries, cancer care. Covid-19 has an adverse effect on patient care in terms of delay in diagnosis as well as treatment in addition to mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Covid-19 is shown to cause various haematological abnormalities [6]. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. This study was carried out to assess the change in patient attendance and the efficacy of newly implemented strategies to mitigate the impact of Covid on services at the Lanka Hospital Blood Cancer Centre (LHBCC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka
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