Background and aims:Restructuring activities have been necessary during the lockdown phase of the coronavirusdisease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Few data are available on the post-lockdown phase in terms of health-careprocedures in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, and no data are available specifically from IBD units. Weaimed to investigate how IBD management was restructured during the lockdown phase, the impact of therestructuring on standards of care and how Italian IBD units have managed post-lockdown activities.Methods:A web-based online survey was conducted in two phases (April and June 2020) among the Italian Groupfor IBD affiliated units within the entire country. We investigated preventive measures, the possibility of continuingscheduled visits/procedures/therapies because of COVID-19 and how units resumed activities in the post-lockdownphase.Results:Forty-two referral centres participated from all over Italy. During the COVID-19 lockdown, 36% of first visitsand 7% of follow-up visits were regularly done, while>70% of follow-up scheduled visits and 5% of first visits weredone virtually. About 25% of scheduled endoscopies and bowel ultrasound scans were done. More than 80% ofbiological therapies were done as scheduled. Compared to the pre-lockdown situation, 95% of centres modifiedmanagement of outpatient activity, 93% of endoscopies, 59% of gastrointestinal ultrasounds and 33% of biologicaltherapies. Resumption of activities after the lockdown phase may take three to six months to normalize. Virtualclinics, implementation of IBD pathways and facilities seem to be the main factors to improve care in the future.Conclusion:Italian IBD unit restructuring allowed quality standards of care during the COVID-19 pandemic to bemaintained. A return to normal appears to be feasible and achievable relatively quickly. Some approaches, suchas virtual clinics and identified IBD pathways, represent a valid starting point to improve IBD care in the post-COVID-19 era
Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care / S. Saibeni, L. Scucchi, G. Dragoni, C. Bezzio, A. Miranda, D.G. Ribaldone, A. Bertani, F. Bossa, M. Allocca, A. Buda, G. Mocci, A. Soriano, S. Mazzuoli, L. Bertani, F. Baccini, E. Loddo, A.C. Privitera, A. Sartini, A. Viscido, L. Grossi, V. Casini, V. Gerardi, M. Ascolani, M.D. Ruscio, G. Casella, E. Savarino, D. Stradella, R. Pumpo, C.C. Cortelezzi, M. Daperno, V. Ciardo, O.M. Nardone, F. Caprioli, G. Vitale, M. Cappello, M. Comberlato, P. Alvisi, S. Festa, M. Campigotto, G. Bodini, P. Balestrieri, A. Viola, D. Pugliese, A. Armuzzi, M.C. Fantini, G. Fiorino. - In: UNITED EUROPEAN GASTROENTEROLOGY JOURNAL. - ISSN 2050-6406. - (2020). [Epub ahead of print]
Activities related to inflammatory bowel disease management during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown in Italy: How to maintain standards of care
F. Caprioli;
2020
Abstract
Background and aims:Restructuring activities have been necessary during the lockdown phase of the coronavirusdisease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Few data are available on the post-lockdown phase in terms of health-careprocedures in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, and no data are available specifically from IBD units. Weaimed to investigate how IBD management was restructured during the lockdown phase, the impact of therestructuring on standards of care and how Italian IBD units have managed post-lockdown activities.Methods:A web-based online survey was conducted in two phases (April and June 2020) among the Italian Groupfor IBD affiliated units within the entire country. We investigated preventive measures, the possibility of continuingscheduled visits/procedures/therapies because of COVID-19 and how units resumed activities in the post-lockdownphase.Results:Forty-two referral centres participated from all over Italy. During the COVID-19 lockdown, 36% of first visitsand 7% of follow-up visits were regularly done, while>70% of follow-up scheduled visits and 5% of first visits weredone virtually. About 25% of scheduled endoscopies and bowel ultrasound scans were done. More than 80% ofbiological therapies were done as scheduled. Compared to the pre-lockdown situation, 95% of centres modifiedmanagement of outpatient activity, 93% of endoscopies, 59% of gastrointestinal ultrasounds and 33% of biologicaltherapies. Resumption of activities after the lockdown phase may take three to six months to normalize. Virtualclinics, implementation of IBD pathways and facilities seem to be the main factors to improve care in the future.Conclusion:Italian IBD unit restructuring allowed quality standards of care during the COVID-19 pandemic to bemaintained. A return to normal appears to be feasible and achievable relatively quickly. Some approaches, suchas virtual clinics and identified IBD pathways, represent a valid starting point to improve IBD care in the post-COVID-19 era
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