Across the country, radiology providers are being forced to postpone all routine, nonurgent cancer imaging during the pandemic. Eventually, that demand is going to bounce back, and practice leaders are already looking to prepare themselves for a possible “surge” in the coming months.
Experts with the University of Michigan and RSNA recently explored such preparations in a new editorial, published April 15 in Radiology: Imaging Cancer. Extending operating hours into nights and weekends and shortening imaging protocols, where possible, are just a few ways providers are prepping for what’s next. But it likely won’t be enough.
“Even with proposed modifications to availability of scanners and examination time, most institutions already operate imaging equipment at near capacity with appointment slots during evenings and weekends,” Gary Luker, MD, and Adeline Boettcher, PhD, wrote last week. “Trying to reschedule several months of imaging appointments likely will result in prolonged (weeks to months) wait times, which may deter many patients,” they warned.
The two authors gathered their recommendations from cancer imaging authorities at a variety of different institutions in the U.S., U.K. and China. Experts noted that many in recent weeks have chosen to postpone any nonurgent cancer imaging—which include general elective screenings, mostly for lung and breast cancer, along with scans that would not no change a specific therapy or treatment plan. Both the CDC and American College of Radiology, among others, have recommended such delays.
Current estimates suggest appointments could potentially start to resume during the month of May. However, a continued need for social distancing, layoffs of practice staffers, and patients losing their health insurance all could spell a “prolonged amount of time to get back to normalcy.” Some physicians estimate this could take as long as 6-12 months, Luker and Boettcher noted.
In China, some hospitals have already resumed normal cancer screenings. But the vast majority are likely still in a holding pattern. The writers suggest telehealth appointment’s as one way to encourage individuals to “reengage in cancer imaging studies.” Email reminders could also prove helpful.
Even when studies start up again, it’s likely that social-distancing policies remain in force into 2021. Experts said that practices should prepare for this reality to help protect staff and customers, with throughput likely also hampered by additional cleaning for imaging rooms and equipment.
Experts consulted for the editorial believe that patients will likely continue to receive routine cancer screenings, once the pandemic ends. But some may remain fearful of going out into public, especially individuals undergoing chemotherapy who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Others who are in remission may avoid follow-up imaging.
“In this regard, it will be important that clinics emphasize that they will take every precaution necessary to keep these patients safe and protected during their appointments,” the authors wrote, suggesting dedicated entrances and traffic patterns for immunocompromised patients.
You can read the rest of the editorial here in Radiology: Imaging Cancer. Michigan Medicine’s Gary Luker is the editor of the journal, while the Radiological Society of North America’s Adeline Boettcher is its scientific editor.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.