F Ceccato1,2, G Voltan3, C Sabbadin3, V Camozzi3, I Merante Boschin3,4, C Mian3, V Zanotto3, D Donato5, G Bordignon5, A Capizzi5, G Carretta5, C Scaroni3. 1. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, European Reference Network On Rare Endocrine Conditions (endoERN) Center of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105, 35128, Padova, Italy. filippo.ceccato@unipd.it. 2. Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. filippo.ceccato@unipd.it. 3. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University-Hospital of Padova, European Reference Network On Rare Endocrine Conditions (endoERN) Center of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile, 105, 35128, Padova, Italy. 4. Department of Surgical Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padova, Padova, Italy. 5. Department of Directional Hospital Management, University-Hospital of Padova, European Reference Network On Rare Endocrine Conditions (endoERN) Center of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract
CONTEXT: The COVID-19 outbreak in Italy is the major concern of Public Health in 2020: measures of containment were progressively expanded, limiting Outpatients' visit. OBJECTIVE: We have developed and applied an emergency plan, tailored for Outpatients with endocrine diseases. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study from March to May 2020. SETTING: Referral University-Hospital center. PATIENTS: 1262 patients in 8 weeks. INTERVENTIONS: The emergency plan is based upon the endocrine triage, the stay-safe procedures and the tele-Endo. During endocrine triage every patient was contacted by phone to assess health status and define if the visit will be performed face-to-face (F2F) or by tele-Medicine (tele-Endo). In case of F2F, targeted stay-safe procedures have been adopted. Tele-Endo, performed by phone and email, is dedicated to COVID-19-infected patients, to elderly or frail people, or to those with a stable disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To assess efficacy of the emergency plan to continue the follow-up of Outpatients. RESULTS: The number of visits cancelled after endocrine triage (9%) is lower than that cancelled independently by the patients (37%, p < 0.001); the latter reduced from 47 to 19% during the weeks of lockdown (p = 0.032). 86% of patients contacted by endocrine-triage received a clinical response (F2F and tele-Endo visits). F2F visit was offered especially to young patients; tele-Endo was applied to 63% of geriatric patients (p < 0.001), visits' outcome was similar between young and aged patients. CONCLUSIONS: The emergency plan respects the WHO recommendations to limit viral spread and is useful to continue follow-up for outpatients with endocrine diseases.
CONTEXT: The COVID-19 outbreak in Italy is the major concern of Public Health in 2020: measures of containment were progressively expanded, limiting Outpatients' visit. OBJECTIVE: We have developed and applied an emergency plan, tailored for Outpatients with endocrine diseases. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study from March to May 2020. SETTING: Referral University-Hospital center. PATIENTS: 1262 patients in 8 weeks. INTERVENTIONS: The emergency plan is based upon the endocrine triage, the stay-safe procedures and the tele-Endo. During endocrine triage every patient was contacted by phone to assess health status and define if the visit will be performed face-to-face (F2F) or by tele-Medicine (tele-Endo). In case of F2F, targeted stay-safe procedures have been adopted. Tele-Endo, performed by phone and email, is dedicated to COVID-19-infectedpatients, to elderly or frail people, or to those with a stable disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To assess efficacy of the emergency plan to continue the follow-up of Outpatients. RESULTS: The number of visits cancelled after endocrine triage (9%) is lower than that cancelled independently by the patients (37%, p < 0.001); the latter reduced from 47 to 19% during the weeks of lockdown (p = 0.032). 86% of patients contacted by endocrine-triage received a clinical response (F2F and tele-Endo visits). F2F visit was offered especially to young patients; tele-Endo was applied to 63% of geriatric patients (p < 0.001), visits' outcome was similar between young and aged patients. CONCLUSIONS: The emergency plan respects the WHO recommendations to limit viral spread and is useful to continue follow-up for outpatients with endocrine diseases.
Authors: A Sansone; A Aversa; G Corona; A D Fisher; A M Isidori; S La Vignera; E Limoncin; M Maggi; M Merico; E A Jannini Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2020-10-30 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: F Ceccato; G Voltan; C Sabbadin; V Camozzi; I Merante Boschin; C Mian; V Zanotto; D Donato; G Bordignon; A Capizzi; G Carretta; C Scaroni Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2020-12-23 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: S De Vincentis; D Domenici; A Ansaloni; G Boselli; G D'Angelo; A Russo; E Taliani; V Rochira; M Simoni; B Madeo Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2022-05-19 Impact factor: 5.467
Authors: F Ceccato; G Voltan; C Sabbadin; V Camozzi; I Merante Boschin; C Mian; V Zanotto; D Donato; G Bordignon; A Capizzi; G Carretta; C Scaroni Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2020-12-23 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: M Žarković; P Perros; J Ćirić; B Beleslin; M Stojanović; M Stojković; M Miletić; T Janić Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2022-03-24 Impact factor: 5.467