Acute respiratory infection (ARI) screening

All patients were contacted via phone call prior to their appointment in the outpatient infusion suite by a health care professional to ensure they were symptom free. In case COVID-19 related symptoms were present, patients were advised not to attend to their scheduled visit and the most responsible physician (MRP) of the patient was contacted to arrange for an alternative and appropriate medical plan. Patients planned for outpatient chemotherapy administration, procedure or an elective admission underwent COVID-19 RT-PCR screening prior. Patients admitted from the emergency department also underwent PCR screening regardless of the reason for admission.

Furthermore, all patients underwent ARI form screening at the time of initial contact with the health care professional (Table 1 ). This is a locally developed screening tool aiming to identify patients with risk factors of COVID-19 infection, such as symptoms of infection and suspected or confirmed exposure to a positive case. In the outpatient setting, patients scoring ≥ 4 points were placed in an isolation room and COVID-19 RT-PCR swab was done, the MRP was contacted for patients scoring >0 but <4 for appropriate disposition whereas patients with score of 0 proceeded to receive their scheduled treatment.

Acute respiratory infection screening tool to identify patients with suspected signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection and those with exposure risk.

A score ≥4 → place patient in an isolation room and inform MD for assessment.