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Impact of the pandemic on cancer care: Lessons learnt from a rural cancer center in the first 3 months
Author(s) -
Deshmukh Sanjay,
Naik Shailesh,
Zade Bhooshan,
Patwa Raunak,
Gawande Jayant,
Watgaonkar Ravi,
Wagh Sachin,
Deshmukh Sonali,
Gautam Pratik,
Gandhi Vidhyachandra,
Ankolikar Shrikant,
Gosavi Nitin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.26144
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , declaration , cancer , covid-19 , health care , medical emergency , cancer treatment , emergency medicine , government (linguistics) , outbreak , family medicine , disease , economic growth , virology , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , economics , linguistics , philosophy
The COVID‐19 outbreak and the subsequent declaration of pandemic was an unprecedented event, which created different complex situations for treatment of cancer patients. A critical assessment of the response to this calamity and its impact on healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient care in a dedicated cancer hospital is analyzed. Site of Study Indrayani Cancer Hospital, Alandi, Pune, India. Materials and Methods Due to the pandemic, standard operating protocols were decided on for each department. Analysis of the impact on healthcare was done by comparing the number of patients taking treatment in the lockdown period in India with the previous year's data in the same corresponding period in all three departments. The impact of COVID infection on the HCW and its repercussions were analyzed. Results There was a marked decrease in the total number of patients during the lockdown period. The most affected department was surgical oncology. None of our patients contracted COVID‐19, but one HCW was found to be positive. Conclusion Strict adherence to protocols along with the support of the government authorities can prevent the spread of this virus thus providing optimal patient outcomes. The treatment of patients with cancer should not be delayed, even in times of a pandemic.