The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently conducted an online survey of 222 US based, practicing radiation oncologists identified as practice leaders in ASTRO’s member database, finding that 100% of respondents continued to provide radiation therapy services during the early weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.1
Once the threat of COVID-19 became evident, radiation oncology clinics adapted their safety protocols in order to continue caring for patients and protecting staff, including requiring masks for staff (99%) and patients (83%), screening patients at the clinic door (98%), social distancing (98%), increasing clinic sterilization and cleaning (95%), testing staff showing symptoms (93%), screening staff before each shift (91%), and not allowing visitors (90%). However, 69% also reported experiencing limited access to or shortages of…
