Dataset Information

Evaluating the Short-Term Environmental and Clinical Effects of a Radiation Oncology Department's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (STEER COVID-19).

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many radiation oncology departments worldwide adopted the use of shorter and more intense hypofractionated regimens. Hospital foot traffic was reduced through virtual care. This study's primary objective was to assess the collective environmental impact of these strategic changes by identifying sources of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). The rate of radiation-related adverse event from the increased use of hypofractionated treatments was assessed.

Methods

All patients treated with external beam radiation therapy from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 at our single institution were identified (n=10,175) along with their radiotherapy visits (176,423 fractions), and unplanned visits to the radiation nursing clinic (RNC) or emergency (ER) department. Out-patient hospital and virtual visits (n=75,853) during this same period were also analyzed. Environmental impact measures, including linear accelerator power usage, patient travel distances, and personal protection equipment (PPE) consumption were all converted into CO₂e.

Results

The use of curative hypofractionated regimens increased from 17% to 27% during the pandemic year. Carbon footprint was reduced by 39% during the pandemic year (1,332,388 kg CO₂e) as compared to the pre-pandemic year (2,024,823 kg CO₂e). Comparing patients in the pre-pandemic vs. pandemic year, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of hypofractionated patients who needed a visit to either the RNC (39% vs. 25%; p<0.001) or ER (6% vs. 2%; p<0.001) during and within 90 days of radiotherapy.

Discussion

This is the first study to demonstrate the environmental benefits of increased use of hypofractionated regimens and virtual care, while assuring that there was no added acute radiation-related adverse event. Our findings support their continued use as one of many long-term strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of healthcare delivery.

SUBMITTER: Cheung R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9598491 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Evaluating the Short-term Environmental and Clinical Effects of a Radiation Oncology Department's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Cheung Ronald R Ito Emma E Lopez Marianela M Rubinstein Ed E Keller Harald H Cheung Fred F Liu Zhihui Amy ZA Liu Fei-Fei FF Wong Philip P

International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 20221026 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>During the COVID-19 pandemic, many radiation oncology departments worldwide adopted the use of shorter and more intense hypofractionated regimens. Hospital foot traffic was reduced through virtual care. This study's primary objective was to assess the collective environmental effect of these strategic changes by identifying sources of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO<sub>2</sub>e). The rate of radiation-related adverse events from the increased use of hypofractionated treatments wa ...[more]

PMID: 36309074

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