| Property | Value |
|---|
|
?:abstract
|
-
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the near complete loss of routine endoscopy services. We describe a major reorganisation of service at a regional referral centre (Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust) to manage the crisis. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) was implemented for triage to make optimum use of limited diagnostic resources. Consultations were switched from face-to-face to telephone. We aimed to evaluate the impact FIT had on resource allocation and patient diagnoses in the first three months of use. METHOD All colorectal two-week wait patient referrals were posted a pack requesting FIT and notification of telephone consultation. A pre-paid envelope was included for return of samples. At consultation, FIT was incorporated with the presenting symptoms to guide investigation choice and triage urgency. FIT ≥10 μg/g was interpreted as positive. Outcome data was collected prospectively and compared with retrospective audit data from pre-pandemic levels across three months. RESULTS From 26th March 2020 to 2nd July there were 381 referrals who were invited to provide FIT samples and underwent telephone consultations. 358 FIT samples were returned (94%). Onward referral for colonoscopy reduced from 62% to 34% (p<0.001). There were fourteen colorectal cancers (3.7%) diagnosed, which was not statistically different to the pre-pandemic level of 3.9% (p=0.995). Twelve of fourteen patients with colorectal cancer diagnoses had provided samples and all twelve had FIT ≥10 μg/g and were offered fast-track investigations. CONCLUSIONS Incorporation of FIT optimised the allocation of limited resources to triage those that required urgent colonic investigation in detecting colorectal cancer.
|
|
?:creator
|
|
|
?:doi
|
|
|
?:doi
|
|
|
?:journal
|
-
Colorectal_disease_:_the_official_journal_of_the_Association_of_Coloproctology_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland
|
|
?:license
|
|
|
?:pmid
|
|
|
?:pmid
|
|
|
?:publication_isRelatedTo_Disease
|
|
|
?:source
|
|
|
?:title
|
-
Adoption of Faecal Immunochemical Testing for two-week wait colorectal patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational cohort study reporting a new service at a regional centre.
|
|
?:type
|
|
|
?:year
|
|
![[This page as RDF]](https://research.tib.eu/covid-19/static/rdf-icon.gif){kind=icon}