In Caen, the François Baclesse cancer center has reorganized in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic in this spring of 2020.
Posted on Apr 24, 20 at 7:07 p.m.
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AT Caen (Calvados), Dr Fabienne Divanon is head of pharmacy department at François Baclesse Center. The one who is also president of the CME (establishment medical conference) explains how the cancer center has been organized since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Read also: Cancer: the Baclesse center in Caen ranked among the best hospitals in the world
As a result of the pandemic, what measures have been taken to manage patients?
Like all health facilities, we have taken protective measures. Since the start of confinement there is a filtering with frontal temperature measurements, compulsory hand rubs. Access is also restricted for visitors who, as of the last week of April, will all have a mask.
If a patient arrives with a symptom of coronavirus, there is a dedicated area to receive it.
How can Covid-19 affect a person with cancer?
A cancer patient is at risk for respiratory complications. Because with his treatment, he is vulnerable. This is the major health issue for us: to save the most vulnerable.
“The golden rule is to continue treatment”
What does Coronavirus change for cancer treatment?
The rule of thumb is to continue treatment if there is a loss of luck for the patient. For example in surgery, the operation takes place if necessary. If it is not urgent, it is postponed. For radiotherapy, ditto, the patients to be treated are.
In injection chemotherapy we maintain the treatments with the same objectives, but we offer breaks in treatment or we prefer another treatment when possible.
Read also: Coronavirus. The number of patients in intensive care at the lowest in Calvados since the end of March
The goal is to minimize hospital visits. We anticipate by phone, we have been doing it since 2014, checking the arrival of patients in good conditions. This limits surveillance consultations or those that are not urgent.
Many doctors and hospitals have warned of the drop in the number of consultations outside the coronavirus. Is this the case at the Baclesse center?
Yes, there is an unusual drop in new patients. I remind you that in case of suspected cancer, you should not wait for deconfinement.
A waste of time in oncology is equivalent to a loss of opportunity.
Unicancer partners with @FEHAP_actu @La_FHP @laFHF @Fr_Assos_Sante and the National Union of Health Professionals to recall the need to continue to treat themselves during the crisis # COVID19#All together #care #Cancer #CLCC #Chronic diseases #healthhttps://t.co/KSvt9N9p4z pic.twitter.com/3eTqhTbYno
– Unicancer (@GroupeUNICANCER) April 22, 2020
Have you observed cancer patients with coronavirus?
Yes a few cases, but it’s really on the fringes. When there are suspicious cases, there is a test one and a diagnosis is made with the CHU de Caen. If there is any doubt, there is a transfer from the patient to the CHU.
With coronavirus, the way to treat cancer does not change?
No, but we have an organization that allows us to think about complex situations. Cancer specialists must arbitrate the benefit-risk cancer-covid scales. There is a need to discuss these situations for the best treatment.
27,000 patients per year
1,000 employees work at the François-Baclesse center, including 600 caregivers. More than 27,000 people are treated each year, including 7,000 new patients each year.
How did you proceed with the staff?
By protective equipment. For masks, it is more sensitive:
There has never been a stock-out, but there have been choices at one time to reserve for caregivers. Today, the situation is more comfortable, but we must remain vigilant.
[Solidarité COVID-19] The professionals of the Center @BaclesseCaen thank you! @_The dome @RegionNormandy https://t.co/hNafPeOmir
– Center François Baclesse Caen (@BaclesseCaen) April 14, 2020
“An unprecedented crisis”
Has the staff organization been changed?
Yes. We have changed the schedules by splitting the teams to have fewer staff present. It was no problem, there is great solidarity.
Have Baclesse personnel been infected with the coronavirus?
There were suspicions yes, but after the tests, a large majority was negative. But in these cases, to avoid the risks, the staff were invited to stay at home. Very few of the so-called vulnerable staff – around fifteen – are on special leave from sickness. This proves the mobilization of the center.
This crisis is unprecedented. What is interesting and reassuring is this positive commitment, we can see the level of responsiveness of hospitals in France.
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