TY - JOUR
T1 - Transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - Nothing noble is accomplished without danger
AU - Spoletini, Gabriele
AU - Bianco, Giuseppe
AU - Graceffa, Dario
AU - Lai, Quirino
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s).
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/8/6
Y1 - 2020/8/6
N2 - The global health crisis due to the fast spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused major disruption in all aspects of healthcare. Transplantation is one of the most affected sectors, as it relies on a variety of services that have been drastically occupied to treat patients affected by COVID-19. With this report from two transplant centers in Italy, we aim to reflect on resource organization, organ allocation, virus testing and transplant service provision during the course of the pandemic and to provide actionable information highlighting advantages and drawbacks. To what extent can we preserve the noble purpose of transplantation in times of increased danger? Strategies to minimize risk exposure to the transplant population and health- workers include systematic virus screening, protection devices, social distancing and reduction of patients visits to the transplant center. While resources for the transplant activity are inevitably reduced, new dilemmas arise to the transplant community: further optimization of time constraints during organ retrievals and implantation, less organs and blood products donated, limited space in the intensive care unit and the duty to maintain safety and outcomes.
AB - The global health crisis due to the fast spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused major disruption in all aspects of healthcare. Transplantation is one of the most affected sectors, as it relies on a variety of services that have been drastically occupied to treat patients affected by COVID-19. With this report from two transplant centers in Italy, we aim to reflect on resource organization, organ allocation, virus testing and transplant service provision during the course of the pandemic and to provide actionable information highlighting advantages and drawbacks. To what extent can we preserve the noble purpose of transplantation in times of increased danger? Strategies to minimize risk exposure to the transplant population and health- workers include systematic virus screening, protection devices, social distancing and reduction of patients visits to the transplant center. While resources for the transplant activity are inevitably reduced, new dilemmas arise to the transplant community: further optimization of time constraints during organ retrievals and implantation, less organs and blood products donated, limited space in the intensive care unit and the duty to maintain safety and outcomes.
KW - Coronavirus
KW - COVID-19
KW - Organ donation
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Transplantation
KW - Virus tests
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U2 - 10.1186/s12876-020-01401-0
DO - 10.1186/s12876-020-01401-0
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32762651
AN - SCOPUS:85089301413
VL - 20
JO - BMC Gastroenterology
JF - BMC Gastroenterology
SN - 1471-230X
IS - 1
M1 - 259
ER -