Managing Oncology Services During a Major Coronavirus Outbreak: Lessons From the Saudi Arabia Experience

Abstract

Outbreaks of infectious etiology, particularly those caused by a novel virus that has no known treatment or vaccine, may result in the interruption of medical care provided to patients with cancer and put them at risk for undertreatment in addition to the risk of being exposed to infection, a life-threatening event among patients with cancer. This article describes the approach used to manage patients with cancer during a large-scale Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus hospital outbreak in Saudi Arabia to ensure continuity of care and minimize harm from treatment interruption or acquiring infection. The approach taken toward managing this high-risk situation (COVID-19) could be easily adopted by health care organizations and would be helpful to ensure readiness for the occurrence of future outbreaks of different infectious etiologies like those recent episodes of new coronavirus.

FIG 1

Department staff received a direct message from the organization leadership and Department leadership committee. The Hospital leadership received communication from WHO, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Department leadership, staff, and patients. Patients received direct communication from Department staff and general communication from organization leadership (Command Center) and MOH.

FIG 2

Middle East respiratory syndrome–coronavirus (MERS-CoV) algorithm for admitted oncology patients. PCR, polymerase chain reaction; SOB, shortness of breath.