National survey for investigating the diagnostic imaging departments reorganization and management during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on radiography services globally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of radiology departments in Italy. METHODS: An online survey with 32 questions was developed and promoted by the Italian Federation of Scientific Radiographer Societies (FASTeR) and sent to all Radiology Service Managers (RSM) identified in the RSM committee of the Italian Federation of Radiographers and Health Professionals, counting for 39 Italian RSM, representing more than 1,200 radiographers. The survey included questions regarding RSM demographics data, the number of radiographers and specialties managed, the effects of the pandemic on the diagnostic imaging service, and any reorganizations that had been implemented, such as the partial or total suspension of diagnostic activities and the number of radiographers tested as positive to COVID-19. RESULTS: Twenty (52%) RSM from different Italian regions completed the questionnaire. A total of 70% of respondents had implemented reorganizations in terms of space, equipment, and pathways dedicated to COVID-19-infected patients, including an extension of the timing of acquisition of the exams. More than half of the respondents reported breast and DXA imaging unit had suffered the most suspension of activities. 70% of respondents reported that more than 50% of radiographers were resulted as COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSION: These data show how challenging was of the reorganization of Italian diagnostic imaging departments during the COVID-19 pandemic, with impact on the suspension of some exams and the rescheduling of breast and DXA imaging. The reorganization of the services also had to consider the high number of radiographers suspended from activity due to the positivity to COVID-19, and the lengthening of the duration of the examinations due to the sanitation of the spaces.