RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology appointments in a tertiary children’s hospital: a retrospective study
JF BMJ Paediatrics Open
JO BMJ Paediatrics Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e001210
DO 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001210
VO 5
IS 1
A1 Langan, Dean
A1 Shelmerdine, Susan
A1 Taylor, Andrew
A1 Bryant, William A
A1 Booth, John
A1 Sebire, Neil J
A1 Arthurs, Owen
A1 Cortina-Borja, Mario
YR 2021
UL http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/5/1/e001210.abstract
AB In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in London on paediatric radiology activity, as a surrogate of overall hospital activity. We showed a large reduction in overall outpatient imaging activity: 49 250 records occurred in the 371 days post COVID-19 period compared with an expected 67 806 records pre COVID-19 period, representing 18 556 ‘missed’ records. Governmental restrictions were associated with reductions in activity, with the largest reduction in activity during tiers 3 and 4 restrictions. Rescheduling such missed outpatients’ appointments represents considerable resource planning and the associated clinical impact on paediatric healthcare remains to be determined.