Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic represents a worldwide emergency and it is affecting healthcare at every level, including also urological care and especially oncologic patients. Recent epidemiological models show that, without effective treatment or vaccine, there will be a long-lasting phase of cohabitation with the virus. Current experts' opinions recommend performing only non-deferrable uro-oncological surgery and postponing other activities until the end of the emergency, with particular concerns regarding the safety laparoscopy. Veneto Region and Padua Province represent one of the first site of the pandemic spread of the virus outside China, thus we present our experience as a Urological Referral Center in applying a segregated-team work model of organization during the month of March 2020, with a stratified organization of activities, adequate screening and protection for patients and staff were adopted. Compared to the same period of last year even if a 19.5% reduction was experienced in overall surgical activity while maintaining a comparable proportion of oncologic robotic and laparoscopic surgery and guaranteeing care also for high priority non-oncological patients. No cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in staff members nor in patients and the number of surgical complications was comparable to that of last year. Therefore, in our opinion the recommended significant reduction in urological care, including surgical activities, is likely unrealistic in the long period with unknown effects affecting mostly oncological patients. Our experience introducing a segregated-team work model might represent a model for future planning.
Highlights
The recent outbreak of severe atypical pneumonia, which started in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province of China, has been associated with a previously unknown coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2
It is likely that SARS-CoV-2 and other similar viruses will keep circulating in the human host for near future; recent projections reported that, without other interventions, social distancing may be necessary until 2022 with late contagion possible as late as 2024 [2]
Every patients was followed for 3 weeks after discharge to record surgical complications according to Clavien-Dindo Classification [12] and COVID-19 infection
Summary
The recent outbreak of severe atypical pneumonia, which started in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province of China, has been associated with a previously unknown coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. To what was described by Naspro et al [6], our Urology Department, experienced a significative change in daily clinical and surgical practice In accordance with these regulations and the requests to shift some personnel to new dedicated COVID19 wards, we tailored a specific organization of our department with three main objectives: [1] Ensure patients’ and staff ’s safety, avoiding the risk of increasing contagion; [2] Provide the highest degree of medical service to the patients in terms of quality and quantity; [3] Work in accordance of regulations and scientific evidence. All staff including ward nurses and secretaries were provided PPE equipment
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