Impact of COVID-19 on Workload and Workflow in Echocardiography Unit in a Tertiary Care University Hospital: A Monocentric Observational Study

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is a new unexpected worldwide condition with a heavy burden on health-care institutions and health-care workers. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the impact of COVID-19 on workload and workflow in the echocardiography unit in a tertiary care university hospital. METHODS: We conducted a monocentric observational study, evaluating workload and workflow during the COVID-19 year relative to the previous year. RESULTS: The findings show a substantial reduction in workload (55.20%) along with significant changes in workflow in the echocardiography unit during the pandemic. Changes in workflow involved measures implemented for protection, changes in echo indications which became more selective, changes in echo pattern, reduction in human flow in echocardiography laboratory, delays in reporting and archiving, and changes in training and teaching. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the echocardiography unit, with a significant reduction in workload and considerable changes in workflow. In the future, it is essential to be better prepared as individuals, health-care workers, health-care institutions, and the general community, to deal better with any potential “invisible enemy.”