The Novel Coronavirus: Our Experience in Facing an Invisible Enemy

Aim/Introduction: Early this year, Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus that was causing a disease named COVID-19 It disseminated quickly, and immediate action was needed to control the further spread of the infection Many Governments imposed severe restrictions on people's and on companies' actions After almost two months of lockdown, we had to prepare our Nuclear Medicine Department for a new reality This paper aims to share the implemented measures and policies Materials and Methods: We defined our action in three axes: 1)people;2)spaces/infrastructures;3)practices;and three moments: A before;B during and C after the procedure (diagnostic or therapeutic) Each of these axes has branches: 1 1)social distancing;1 2)epidemiological and health questionnaire;1 3)communication and welfare;2 1) definition of entrances and routes;2 2)signs and posters regarding handwashing, respiratory etiquette and COVID-19 alert symptoms;3 1)assessment of the procedure urgency level;3 2)patient appointment order;3 3)procedures' time slot;3 4)infection prevention and control;3 5)remote meetings and reporting Results: Due to the universal application of the three basic rules of radioprotection: time, distance, and shielding, we believe that somehow the adoption of the above-mentioned special measures in Nuclear Medicine Departments might have been easier Regarding people axis, social distancing among patients and staff was implemented as a rule of thumb, as well as the use of personal protective equipment (for staff: head cap, goggles, and disposable gown, face mask, and gloves, the latter two were indicated for outpatients not tested for COVID-19) Waiting rooms were rearranged to increase distances between people and members of staff avoided having meals together Patients were contacted by phone before the procedures, to ascertain the presence of any symptoms, and to be informed about dedicated entrances and routes Confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients were managed according to institutional and national rules The urgency level of the procedure was carefully assessed by both the referring physician, the patient himself, and the Nuclear Medicine physician, with nonurgent tests postponed Inpatients who tested negative for COVID-19 were the first in the daily agenda, followed by non-suspected outpatients, with positive inpatients for last Suspected outpatients were advised to seek first for being tested for coronavirus The time slot per patient was increased to allow cleaning and disinfection procedures after each patient Conclusion: The preparedness for the current coronavirus outbreak required the review of procedures as well as the adoption of special measures to assure health professionals and public safety, to prevent infection transmission and spread