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 / A. Porreca, M. Colicchia, D. D'Agostino, M. Amenta, A. Corsaro, S. Zaramella, L. Zegna, F. Gallo, M. Schenone, G. Bozzini, A. Calori, A.L. Pastore, Y. Al Salhi, C. Sciorio, L. Spirito, V. Varca, C. Marenghi, F. Greco, V.M. Altieri, P. Verze, C. Barba, A. Antonelli, M.A. Cerruto, R. Falabella, S. Di Bello, C. Leonardo, A. Tufano, A. Volpe, P. Umari, P. Parma, M. Nidini, G. Pini, M. Borghesi, C. Terrone, G.E. Cacciamani, M.C. Sighinolfi, G.M. Busetto, A.M. Wennberg, M. Finocchiaro, M. Falsaperla, M. Oderda, C. Ceruti, B. Rocco, R. Schiavina, L. Bianchi, A. Mari, F. Di Maida, O. Dalpiaz, A. Celia, M. Pirozzi, P. Bove, V. Iacovelli, A. Cafarelli, L. Cindolo, G. Ferrari, L. Gatti, G. Pirola, F. Annino, L. Pucci, D. Romagnoli, W. Artibani, A. Minervini. - In: UROLOGIA INTERNATIONALIS. - ISSN 0042-1138. - 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
B. Rocco;
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.
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