Developing the COVID-19 intensive care medical equipment distribution platform

Developing the COVID-19 intensive care medical equipment distribution platform: outcomes and lessons learned
BMJ Open Quality 2021;10:e001383. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001383

• This report describes the development of an innovative platform developed rapidly and voluntarily by clinical engineers, to mobilise the UK’s shared medical equipment inventory, in order to match ICU capacity to dynamically evolving clinical demand. The ‘Coronavirus ICU Medical Equipment Distribution’ platform was developed to optimise ICU equipment allocation, distribution, collection, redeployment and traceability across the National Health Service.

Estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services and excess 1-year mortalityin people with cancer and multimorbidity

Estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services and excess 1-year mortality in people with cancer and multimorbidity: near real-time data on cancer care, cancer deaths and a population-based cohort study.
BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 17;10(11):e043828. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043828.

• Background mortality risks for 24 cancers with and without COVID-19-relevant comorbidities were obtained from population-based primary care cohort (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) on 3 862 012 adults in England. Dramatic reductions were detected in the demand for, and supply of, cancer services which have not fully recovered with lockdown easing. These may contribute, over a 1-year time horizon, to substantial excess mortality among people with cancer and multimorbidity.

The rise of robots in surgical environments during COVID-19.

The rise of robots in surgical environments during COVID-19.
Nat Mach Intell 2, 566–572 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-020-00238-2

• The integration of a robot as a shielding layer, physically separating the healthcare worker and patient, is a powerful tool to combat the omnipresent fear of pathogen contamination and maintain surgical volumes. 
• In this Perspective, we outline detailed scenarios in the pre-, intra- and postoperative care, in which the use of robots and artificial intelligence can mitigate infectious contamination and aid patient management in the surgical environment during times of immense patient influx. We also discuss cost-effectiveness and benefits of surgical robotic systems beyond their use in pandemics.

Managing cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: An ESMO Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus

Managing cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: An ESMO Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus
Annals of Oncology 31 July 2020 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.010

• We established an international consortium to discuss clinical evidence and to provide expert advice on statements related to cancer management during COVID-19 pandemics. The expert panel agreed on 28 statements that can be used to overcome many of the clinical and technical areas of uncertainty ranging from diagnosis to therapeutic planning.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK: a national, population-based, modelling study

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK: a national, population-based, modelling study
The Lancet Oncology v21(8), P1023-1034, AUGUST 01, 2020 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30388-0

• Estimated the impact of delays in diagnosis on cancer survival outcomes in four major tumour types.

ICNARC report on COVID-19 in critical care

ICNARC reports on COVID-19 in critical care
ICNARC updated 31 July 2020

• An updated report presents analyses of the latest data on patients critically ill with confirmed COVID-19 reported to ICNARC from critical care units participating in the Case Mix Programme (the national clinical audit covering all NHS adult, general intensive care and combined intensive care/high dependency units in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus some additional specialist and non-NHS critical care units).

The impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients in the UK

The impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients in the UK: Cancer Research UK Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2020
Cancer Research UK 28 July 2020

• Survey of 1,868 cancer patients (1st to 28th May) to understand the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients’ testing, treatment and care, day-to-day lives and wellbeing, and support for government policies.

Senate Council Adopt, Adapt, Abandon: What have we learned about how health care can be delivered during the last twelve weeks?

Senate Council Adopt, Adapt, Abandon: What have we learned about how health care can be delivered during the last twelve weeks? East of England Clinical Senate Council July 2020

• This short paper summarises the discussion of East of England Clinical Senate Council on 24 June 2020 and presents its key findings and recommendations Members brought their own experiences and perspectives to the discussion with a view to summarising whether the changes made in the course of responding to the COVID-19 incident, could be adopted, adapted or abandoned as the health and care services look to restore services for patients.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK: a national, population-based, modelling study.
Lancet Oncol 2020, 20 July 2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30388-0
See Online/Comment https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30391-0

• In this study the authors estimate the impact of delays in diagnosis on cancer survival outcomes in four major tumour types: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, oesophageal cancer, and lung cancer. For these four tumour types, these data correspond with 3291–3621 additional deaths across the scenarios within 5 years.

Effect of delays in the 2-week-wait cancer referral pathway during the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survival in the UK:

Effect of delays in the 2-week-wait cancer referral pathway during the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survival in the UK: a modelling study
Lancet Oncol 2020 20 July 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30392-2

• During the COVID-19 lockdown, referrals via the 2-week-wait urgent pathway for suspected cancer in England, UK, are reported to have decreased by up to 84%. This research examined the impact of different scenarios of lockdown-accumulated backlog in cancer referrals on cancer survival, and the impact on survival per referred patient due to delayed referral versus risk of death from nosocomial infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Abstract

CFHealthHub for managing cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

CFHealthHub for managing cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic
Medtech innovation briefing [MIB219] 10 July 2020

• This Innovation briefing summarises the evidence around CFHealthHub, a digital platform to help adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) manage their condition and monitor their medicine use. It allows remote access from the patients home to monitor medicines adherence.

Considerations for the treatment of pancreatic cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: theUK consensus position.

Considerations for the treatment of pancreatic cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: theUK consensus position.
Br J Cancer (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-0980-x

• A consensus from UK clinicians with an interest in pancreatic cancer for management approaches that would minimise patient risk and accommodate for healthcare service restrictions.

Abstract

The rare reality of COVID-19

The rare reality of COVID-19
Genetic Alliance 2 July 2020

• People living with rare conditions have been placed under immense pressure by the Covid-19 pandemic. Access to appropriate support, information, care and treatments has become more difficult and levels of social isolation have been increased. This report presents findings from the EURORDIS Rare Barometer Covid-19 Experience Survey, and from Generic Alliance weekly community meetings during the months of April, May and June 2020.

Outcomes from intensive care in patients with COVID‐19: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

Outcomes from intensive care in patients with COVID‐19: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Anaesthesia 30 June 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15201

• A literature search identified 4 articles which reported ICU outcome data for patients admitted to ICU with a COVID-19 diagnosis (n=10,150). The largest patient group was in the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) study from the UK. 
• In patients with completed ICU admissions with COVID-19 infection, combined ICU mortality was 41.6% (95%CI 34.0-49.7%, I2 = 93.2%). Subgroup analysis by continent showed that mortality is broadly consistent across the globe. The in-ICU mortality from COVID-19 is higher than usually seen in ICU admissions with other viral pneumonias. The mortality from completed episodes of ICU differs considerably from the crude mortality rates in some early reports.

Summary

Direct Commissioning Unintended Consequences of COVID 19 on the Quality of Our Health Service Provision

Direct Commissioning Unintended Consequences of COVID 19 on the Quality of Our Health Service Provision 

PHINE Network North East [Registration required]
NHS E/I May 2020 (uploaded 25 June 2020)

• Presentation of impact of COVID-19 on NHS England directly commissioned services.

Thousands of patients to benefit from NHS At Home roll out

Thousands of patients to benefit from NHS At Home roll out [News]
NHS X 8 June 2020

• Thousands of patients with cystic fibrosis and dozens recovering from coronavirus are being given devices and apps so that medics can monitor their condition remotely, as part of the NHS drive to give more people connected, supported, personalised care in their own homes.

Advice to Trusts on maintaining cancer treatment during the COVID-19 response

Second phase of NHS response to COVID-19 for cancer services
NHS England 8 June 2020

Advice to Trusts on maintaining cancer treatment during the COVID-19 response
NHS England 30 March 2020

• Advice around continuing cancer care during the response to the COVID-19 emergency.
• Includes reorganisation of cancer care centres, management of 2WW referrals, and Clinical guide for the management of non-coronavirus patients requiring acute treatment: Cancer
• Cancer surgery hubs recommended
1. Central triage point within a local cancer system
2. Consolidation of cancer surgery on ‘clean’ sites 
3. Clinical guide for the management of non-coronavirus patients requiring acute treatment: Cancer 

COVID-19 ICU Preparation Simulation

COVID-19 ICU Preparation Simulation
SIMUL8 5 June 2020

• A covid-19 ICU preparation simulation tool from SIMUL8, designed to help hospitals evaluate the bed, ventilator and staffing levels needed to cope with covid-19 patients is now available to download. 

Legal guidance for mental health, learning disability and autism, and specialised commissioning services supporting people of all ages during the coronavirus pandemic

Legal guidance for mental health, learning disability and autism, and specialised commissioning services supporting people of all ages during the coronavirus pandemic,
NHS England updated 3 June 2020

• This guidance concerns the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the use of the Mental Health Act (MHA) and supporting systems to safeguard the legal rights of people receiving mental health, learning disability and autism services, including specialised commissioned services. It will be regularly updated to reflect the rapidly changing context and questions/concerns as well as feedback from the sector.

Planning Hospital Needs for Ventilators and Respiratory Therapists in the COVID-19 Crisis

Planning Hospital Needs for Ventilators and Respiratory Therapists in the COVID-19 Crisis
RAND May 2020

• Description of a model that can be used to calculate the number of ventilators and RTs needed to achieve a target wait time — the average delay for a ventilator experienced by a new patient.