Kidney Transplantation During COVID-19 Outbreak: Data From Public and Non-Public Dialysis Network

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic highly influenced on medical services in Poland. All restrictions, and additional procedures as well as numerous infections among medical staff highly affected transplantation in the country.Authors analyzed reports prepared by Polish Transplant Coordination Center Poltransplant and internal Fresenius Nephrocare Poland reports to assess difference in number of patients qualified for kidney transplantation and transplanted in pandemic period in comparison in pre-pandemic year.During SARS-CoV-2 outbreak number of qualified and transplanted patients was significantly lower comparing with pre-pandemic period. The most worsened data concerns the new qualifications which was significantly lower in the first year of pandemic as the effect of all restrictions implemented.The number of Kidney Tx procedures provided during 2-years pandemic period decreased significantly (-20.8%) in 2020 and in the second year the negative trend has been continued (-0.8%).Situation of private dialysis provider concerning number of active patients on waiting list for kidney transplantation was a bit better – decreased from 265 to 239 in 2020 (-9.8%) and increased to 259 in 2021 (+8.4%).The decline in the number of patients treated in Fresenius Nephrocare dialysis centers transplanted was deeper and felt down 27.8% in 2020 in comparison with 2019. In 2021 number of transplanted patients slightly increase about 2.5%.Results – decreased number of qualified and transplanted patients during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak clearly show the need of undertake multidisciplinary discussion among all stakeholders to create new procedures and processes which will help to protect the healthcare system and patients in case of future crisis situation.