COVID-19 and Oncology: Service transformation during pandemic

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has challenged healthcare systems around the world, where resources have refocused on increasing critical bed capacity to prepare for the peak in incidence of COVID‐19. Oncology faces an unprecedented challenge as patients require multidisciplinary care and are more likely to be immunosuppressed. Services in oncology have been transformed using minimal resources over a short period of time. This transformation continues and telemedicine is playing a key role. Aims We explore how services in oncology have transformed to deliver services including consultations, systemic anticancer therapy, and surgery for patients, while shielding them from contracting COVID‐19. We assess the risks and benefits of the service transformation in the immediate, interim, and long term, and how telemedicine supports the process. Methods We performed a comprehensive review of the literature using suitable keywords on the search engines of PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and latest official data from May to June 2020. Results Through the published literature on this topic, we discuss the transformations in oncology and the impact on patients and healthcare workers due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. We reflect on the lessions from COVID‐19 and assess the role of telemedicine in the future of oncology services. Conclusion Transformation of services in oncology effectively shields patients from COVID‐19 infections, and telemedicine plays a role in virtual consultations. The long‐term effects are yet to be seen, such as safety of home‐based treatment, and effectiveness of virtual communication on patient care. As oncology requires a multidisciplinary approach, telemedicine will play a key role to improve patient‐centered cancer care in the future

Diabetic Control Agents and Their Impact on Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Clinical Overview

Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with poor cardiovascular surgical outcomes due to microvascular and macrovascular complications. This is a major concern as over one third of cardiovascular surgical patients have diabetes mellitus which greatly increases their risk of experiencing adverse cardiovascular events. A literature review was performed to identify articles discussing the effects of anti-diabetic medications (ADMs) on cardiovascular outcomes and surgical mortality and morbidity rates. Optimizing perioperative glucose levels remains a key factor in producing good surgical outcomes. In addition, recognizing gender differences, increasing patient satisfaction, and implementing dedicated diabetic teams all improve surgical mortality and morbidity rates in the diabetic population