In:
Urologia Internationalis, S. Karger AG, Vol. 104, No. 7-8 ( 2020), p. 631-636
Abstract:
〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Purpose: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a substantial burden on the Italian healthcare system, resulting in the restructuring of hospitals to care for COVID-19 patients. However, this has likely impacted access to care for patients experiencing other conditions. We aimed to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on access to care for patients with urgent/emergent urological conditions throughout Italy. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Materials and Methods: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 A questionnaire was sent to 33 urological units in the AGILE consortium, asking clinicians to report on the number of urgent/emergent urological patients seen and/or undergoing surgery over a 3-week period during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak and a reference week prior to the outbreak. ANOVA and linear regression models were used to quantify these changes. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 Data from 27 urological centres in Italy showed a decrease from 956 patients/week seen just prior to the outbreak to 291 patients/week seen by the end of the study period. There was a difference in the number of patients with urgent/emergent urological disease seen within/during the different weeks (all 〈 i 〉 p 〈 /i 〉 values & #x3c; 0.05). A significant decrease in the number of patients presenting with haematuria, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, scrotal pain, renal colic, or trauma and urgent/emergent cases that required surgery was reported (all 〈 i 〉 p 〈 /i 〉 values & #x3c; 0.05). 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 In Italy, during the COVID-19 outbreak there has been a decrease in patients seeking help for urgent/emergent urological conditions. Restructuring of hospitals and clinics is mandatory to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the healthcare system should continue to provide adequate levels of care also to patients with other conditions.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0042-1138
,
1423-0399
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1464417-4
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