Abstract
The viral pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the strain of coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted the care of cancer patients worldwide. Despite the widespread disruption, the continual delivery of cancer care remains essential. The multidisciplinary, time-sensitive, and resource-intensive nature of cancer care generates unique challenges during a viral pandemic. In this presentation, building on our collective experience from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic of 2003, I will share lessons learnt during the SARS 2003 crisis and how these have shaped current policies and workflows at a comprehensive cancer centre in Singapore during the current COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, approaches that enabled the continuity of (a) patient care (b) clinical research and (c) education will also be described. Strategies include the use of a segregated-team work flow, resource conservation and allocation, clear communication from senior management, and standardised management of oncology patients with suspected infection. The impact on outpatient clinic load, utilization rate of chemotherapy chairs, average waiting time for new consults and to start treatment will also be presented.
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