Urology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Minerva Urol Nefrol. 2020 Jun;72(3):369-375. doi: 10.23736/S0393-2249.20.03846-1. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generating a rapid and tragic health emergency in Italy due to the need to provide assistance to an overwhelming number of infected patients and, at the same time, treat all the non-deferrable oncological and benign conditions. A panel of Italian urologists has agreed on possible strategies for the reorganization of urological routine practice and on a set of recommendations that should facilitate the process of rescheduling both surgical and outpatient activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the subsequent phases. This document could be a valid tool to be used in routine clinical practice and, possibly, a cornerstone for further discussion on the topic also considering the further evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also may provide useful recommendations for national and international urological societies in a condition of emergency.

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesiology
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Italy
  • Pandemics*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Safety
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urologists
  • Urology