Brachytherapy care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Practice statement from a cancer center in Wuhan, China

Brachytherapy. 2021 Jan-Feb;20(1):279-283. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.08.005. Epub 2020 Aug 26.

Abstract

Purpose: COVID-19 broke out in late 2019 and rapidly spread around the world and became a pandemic. This highly contagious disease affects routine health care services and patients with cancer who are susceptible to it. Delivering brachytherapy on time is critical for patients with cancer to get better prognosis. The purpose of this study is to present workflow and standard for radiation centers to deliver brachytherapy and avoid cross-infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods and materials: This study combined previous literature and guidelines of precaution with clinical experience in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: A workflow covering patients' screening, health care workers' precaution, training, and other aspects of the whole brachytherapy procedure was established.

Conclusions: From the reopening of radiation center to mid-May in 2020, there is no hospital infection of COVID-19 in patients or health care workers. This recommendation is effective and helpful to other cancer centers.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Workflow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • Cancer Care Facilities
  • China
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Environment Design
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Pandemics
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Radiation Oncology / organization & administration*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Workflow*