Učestalost kontrolnih pregleda i kliničkih postupaka kod onkoloških pacijenata prije i za vrijeme pandemije bolesti Covid-19 u klinici za ženske bolesti i porode KBC-a Zagreb

Abstract

Introduction. At the end of 2019, an epidemic caused by a coronavirus broke out in China. A certain number of female cancer patients neglected their regular oncology treatment during the pandemic, at first because of quarantine, and later due to their incompetence in applying online medicine. The majority of cancer patients demand permanent care and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures. The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) led to numerous check-up cancellations and surgery postponements in healthcare, yet it is unknown to what extent it has affected the healthcare of female cancer patients. Aim. To determine the frequency of check-ups and clinical procedures that female cancer patients underwent prior to and during the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Methods. Gathering data on the number of clinical procedures in cancer patients was conducted through the hospital information system (BIS) of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of KBC Zagreb in the period of two years. The study group included female cancer patients during one year of the pandemic (March 11, 2020 to March 11, 2021), and the control group consisted of female cancer patients during the period of one year preceding the pandemic.Results. In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of KBC Zagreb there were less laparoscopic procedures (LPSC) in 2020 than in 2019, with 24.6% less procedures administered in 2020. There were also fewer other gynaecological procedures in 2020, however, the difference was not statistically significant p>0.05. In the same period in Zagreb in 2020 there were 13.9% fewer patients treated for cancer than in 2019. Also in 2020, there were statistically significantly fewer patients treated throughout Croatia p<0.001, with a decrease of 16.3%.Conclusion. All aspects of healthcare, from diagnostics and therapy to research, have been distressed by the emergence of COVID-19. During the crisis caused by this disease, healthcare workers dealt with the problem of thorough and rapid reorganisation of the system, not only with the purpose of treating newly infected patients, but also in trying to maintain the quality of healthcare for cancer patients. The adjustment of the healthcare system with timely organisation in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology managed to preserve the level of quality healthcare for its female cancer patients. For the future it would be necessary to prepare action plans which will assure adequate health care service without decreasing number of examinations.