Cancer care providers must increase capacity as patients return for delayed services, but preparations to handle this pent-up volume cannot interfere with keeping physical facilities as safe as possible.
While every organization is unique and will need to tailor facility updates to their situation, below are practical strategies that cancer programs can deploy to position themselves for a successful pandemic recovery.
» Maximize telehealth offerings and virtual visits to reduce patient traffic.
» Decant patient volumes from busy cancer center hubs by scheduling services for remote care or at satellite clinics when appropriate.
» Relocate administrative and nonessential staff to remote work settings to free-up space for pressing clinical services (e.g., COVID-19 ICU units) or to better accommodate distancing measures.
» Optimize facility air pressure environment to improve circulation and enhance infection control.
» Continue to enforce distancing and disinfecting policies (e.g., designated separate entrances and exits, routine sanitization stations, staff check-in points for temperature and symptoms checks).
» Address new issues that arise around parking or transportation to ensure cancer patients still have timely access to the care they need without risk exposure.
This is part of the COVID-19 oncology response series from ECG Management Consultants. For more information, visit ECG’s website.