ABSTRACT
Objectives: To describe the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the interventional radiology unit at our hospital in the first year of the pandemic. Material and methods: This prospective observational study included 83 consecutive patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent an interventional radiology procedure in the period comprising March 13, 2020 through March 13, 2021. We describe the repercussions of the situation on the unit's total activity, as well as on its activity during the different phases of the pandemic. Results: Technical and clinical success were achieved in 96.43% and 82.14% of cases, respectively. During follow-up throughout the year, 68 patients remained alive and 15 died from their underlying disease. No complications related with interventional procedures occurred, and activity declined by only 12% in comparison with the same period in the previous year (2019-2020, without COVID). Similarly, the decrease in relative value units and radiology activity units was only 13% and 12%, respectively. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenge in our daily work, leading to an overall decrease in the number of procedures. Nevertheless, the interventional radiology unit has been actively involved in caring for Covid-19 patients, performing a wide variety of necessary procedures. Following a series of specific measures and protocols has enabled us to perform interventional radiology procedures safely during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To describe the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the interventional radiology unit at our hospital in the first year of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 83 consecutive patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent an interventional radiology procedure in the period comprising March 13, 2020 through March 13, 2021. We describe the repercussions of the situation on the unit's total activity, as well as on its activity during the different phases of the pandemic. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success were achieved in 96.43% and 82.14% of cases, respectively. During follow-up throughout the year, 68 patients remained alive and 15 died from their underlying disease. No complications related with interventional procedures occurred, and activity declined by only 12% in comparison with the same period in the previous year (2019-2020, without COVID). Similarly, the decrease in relative value units and radiology activity units was only 13% and 12%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Covid-19 pandemic has been a challenge in our daily work, leading to an overall decrease in the number of procedures. Nevertheless, the interventional radiology unit has been actively involved in caring for Covid-19 patients, performing a wide variety of necessary procedures. Following a series of specific measures and protocols has enabled us to perform interventional radiology procedures safely during the pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Pandemics , Radiography , Radiology, Interventional , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
PIP: This article introduces an issue of World Health Statistics Quarterly that summarizes the activities of working groups charged by the World Health Organization (WHO) with suggesting actions for a new holistic global health policy for the 21st century. After a brief introduction, the article describes implementation of the global consultative process to develop the new policy and highlights 10 selected regional and global milestones. The article then 1) identifies the interlinked values that provide the basis for the policy, 2) discusses the two major policy objectives of making health central to human development and building sustainable health systems, and 3) considers aspects important to the selection of disease- and intervention-specific priorities for action. Next, the article presents the 10 global health targets and concludes by noting that achieving health for all will depend upon creation of a wide array of partnerships as well as the taking of decisive actions by the WHO and governments.^ieng