Precautions Taken in Radiotherapy Clinics in Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

It has been shown that cancer patients may have a higher risk of Covid-19 than non-cancers, and cancer patients are affected more rapidly than Covid-19. Covidien Turkey as well as in all the world-pandemic period 19 measures taken urgently in the radiotherapy clinic and has been implemented. The scope of measures and applications taken in this study was evaluated. One-to-one interviews with radiotherapy clinics have determined the precautions taken in the clinics. The measures proposed by the Ministry of Health and the Turkish Radiation Oncology Association and the measures applied by the American Radiation Oncology Association were compared. Hygiene, which is the first precaution for Covid-19, has been emphasized in all clinics and measures have been taken regarding the use of necessary protective equipment. By making arrangements in the patient hours, the confrontation of patients in the waiting rooms is minimized. Before each treatment, the risk of transmission in the clinics was reduced by asking for additional tests from those with suspected Covid-19 by measuring the fever of the patients and monitoring the patient. Patients who were diagnosed with Covid-19 were discontinued from their general condition by stopping their treatment until they recovered. The measures taken are similar to those taken worldwide. It is pleasing that the number of patients decreases day by day and the number of cases seen in clinics is low. It should be taken into consideration that additional measures will be needed in case of new attack periods.

Keywords

• Covid-19
• radiotherapy
• protection methods
• treatment change
• hygiene measures
• overtime planning

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