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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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 p values < 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 p values < 0.05). Conclusion: 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.
Urology in the Time of Coronavirus: Reduced Access to Urgent and Emergent Urological Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Italy / Porreca A.; Colicchia M.; D'Agostino D.; Amenta M.; Corsaro A.; Zaramella S.; Zegna L.; Gallo F.; Schenone M.; Bozzini G.; Calori A.; Pastore A.L.; Al Salhi Y.; Sciorio C.; Spirito L.; Varca V.; Marenghi C.; Greco F.; Altieri V.M.; Verze P.; Barba C.; Antonelli A.; Cerruto M.A.; Falabella R.; Di Bello S.; Leonardo C.; Tufano A.; Volpe A.; Umari P.; Parma P.; Nidini M.; Pini G.; Borghesi M.; Terrone C.; Cacciamani G.E.; Sighinolfi M.C.; Busetto G.M.; Wennberg A.M.; Finocchiaro M.; Falsaperla M.; Oderda M.; Ceruti C.; Rocco B.; Schiavina R.; Bianchi L.; Mari A.; Di Maida F.; Dalpiaz O.; Celia A.; Pirozzi M.; Bove P.; Iacovelli V.; Cafarelli A.; Cindolo L.; Ferrari G.; Gatti L.; Pirola G.; Annino F.; Pucci L.; Romagnoli D.; Artibani W.; Minervini A.. - In: UROLOGIA INTERNATIONALIS. - ISSN 0042-1138. - STAMPA. - 104:7-8(2020), pp. 631-636. [10.1159/000508512]
Urology in the Time of Coronavirus: Reduced Access to Urgent and Emergent Urological Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Italy
Schiavina R.;Bianchi L.;
2020
Abstract
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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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 p values < 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 p values < 0.05). Conclusion: 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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
