Response of a Radiology Department to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: The Experience of the Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata" in Rome

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 10; p. 5255
• Main Authors: Malizia, Andrea, Filograna, Laura, Sbordone, Francesco Paolo, Ciccarese, Giorgio, Carbone, Andrea, Carreri, Beatrice, Ryan, Colleen Patricia, Ludovici, Gian Marco, Chierici, Andrea, Manenti, Guglielmo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 14.05.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Computed tomography; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Departments; Disease transmission; Emergency management; Emergency preparedness; Emergency procedures; Epidemics; Fever; Health aspects; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Humans; Infections; Lungs; Medical imaging; Medical personnel; Medical supplies; Pandemics; Patients; Questionnaires; Radiography; Radiology; Radiology, Medical; Rome - epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; Scanners; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Tomography; Viral diseases; Work stations; Rome; United States > US; China; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; radiology; emergency management procedures
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105255

The dissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome linked to the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, prompted all health services to provide adequate measures to limit new cases that could affect healthcare professionals. Due to the large number of suspected patients subjected to CT scans and the proximity of radiologists to the patient during exams, radiologists as well as the entire staff of the radiology department are particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. This article includes the emergency management procedures, the use of personal protective devices, and the rearrangement of exam rooms and of human resources in the department of radiology at "Policlinico Tor Vergata" in Rome performed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We introduce the management measures that our department has taken to cope with the influx of patients while still ensuring the proper management of other emergencies and time-sensitive exams.