COVID-19 prompts rapid and safe transition of chemotherapy into homes.

Andrew S Vanlint,Timothy Price,Julie Adams

doi:10.1071/ah21250

Abstract

With the identification of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, cancer-based clinical services in South Australia moved quickly to protect patients on active anti-cancer treatment who are particularly vulnerable to infective complications. This took the form of shifting 600 chemotherapy visits into the patients' homes via expansion of an existing arrangement between a public hospital network and an established private home chemotherapy service. Despite calls for caution from some oncology organisations and a relative paucity in specific clinical data supporting this approach, it proved to be a safe and efficient transition with additional unexpected benefits.

Highlights

With the identification of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, cancer-based clinical services in South Australia moved quickly to protect patients on active anti-cancer treatment who are vulnerable to infective complications
Our recent experience has shown that home chemotherapy delivery is a safe alternative to hospital-based administration with particular benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and should be considered for further utilisation
In Central Adelaide Local Health Network, a partnership was created with a well-established private chemotherapy provider, chemo@home, and a three-phase referral process to prioritise timely implementation was defined through a collaborative approach: 1. Patients required to attend over four visits per month, those in care facilities or difficulty with ambulation; 2

Summary

Introduction

With the identification of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, cancer-based clinical services in South Australia moved quickly to protect patients on active anti-cancer treatment who are vulnerable to infective complications. Home chemotherapy administration services are not new but are still a relatively fresh development in cancer therapy delivery and most treatment is still administered through day centres or similar outpatient services. In Central Adelaide Local Health Network, a partnership was created with a well-established private chemotherapy provider, chemo@home, and a three-phase referral process to prioritise timely implementation was defined through a collaborative approach: 1.

Results

Conclusion