The Banner for COVID-19
The College continues to monitor emerging literature relevant to our Radiology and Radiation Oncology members. The resources identified include key links to educational material on imaging findings and links to information on how to prepare your service or practice to cope with the challenges presented by COVID-19.
This is an evolving situation and multidisciplinary advice and research will continue to be updated. We encourage you to closely follow the advice of your local Health Departments.
Unilateral Axillary Adenopathy in the Setting of COVID-19 Vaccine
VITT guideline for doctors
RSNA International Trends: A Global Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Radiology in Late 2020
COVID Image - Protecting yourself and others infographic
COVID Image - What to expect in clinic infographic
COVID Image - Delaying treatment infographic
Last updated 30 March 2020
Please find below a list of resources to assist radiology departments. Please note these documents are intended to be helpful resources and not an exhaustive guide. Please refer to jurisdictional information for regular updates:
RANZCR’s Standard of Practice for Clinical Radiology specify monitor and working station requirements for radiologists. The following documents have been developed in consultation with the ACPSEM and its Radiology Specialty Group to support individual radiologists who may be asked by their employers to work from home-based work environments due to quarantining and social distancing for COVID-19. They are a guide only.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The list of consumer grade monitors that meet the ACPSEM requirements is not exhaustive and serves only as a guide. RANZCR believes it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that radiologists working in home-based environments have access to appropriate diagnostic grade monitors that overall meet the standards as specified in RANZCR’s Standards of Practice for Clinical Radiology.
The guidance for monitor requirements was designed by the ACPSEM (via the Radiology Specialty Group) in response to a request from RANZCR for its consideration to provide radiologists with a consistent method of self-assessment to determine the suitability of a remote workstation for reporting diagnostic general Xray, CT, Ultrasound and MRI images with the understanding that:
It should be stressed that this process is designed to enable radiologists to minimise risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 by enacting social isolation, and strong workplace redundancy practices. This is a temporary solution while primary diagnostic monitor procurement occurs. This should not be considered a long-term solution and relies on constant professional evaluation to ensure that monitors meet minimum clinical requirements. If available, it is recommended that any remote workstation is assessed to the performance requirements of the RANZCR Standards of Practice, by a qualified professional.
Normal appropriate use criteria for imaging patients presenting with an acute respiratory illness should be applied. CT should not be used for routine screening for COVID-19 disease. As with other causes of acute lung injury, it has a role in the evaluation of patients for potential complications.
The advice regarding the use of imaging is consistent with position statements released by both the American College of Radiology and the Society of Thoracic Radiology (STR). The STR statement is as follows: At this time, the STR does not recommend routine CT screening for the diagnosis of patients under investigation for COVID-19. Chest CT can be restricted to patients who test positive for COVID-19 and who are suspected of having complicating features such as abscess or empyema.
A volumetric CT of the entire chest at end inspiration is recommended, with reconstruction of contiguous high-resolution (HR) images at 0.625-mm to 1.5-mm slice thickness (without an interslice gap) for assessment of the lungs. Intravenous contrast should be used when clinically indicated.
We would like to thank the College’s special interest group, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Thoracic Radiology (ANZSTR), and particularly Dr Sharyn MacDonald and Dr Catherine Jones for their work in reviewing these resources. We also pass our thanks on to Dr Jeffrey Kanne, Department of Radiology University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI for his assistance in preparing these useful resources
The STR has made two lectures on COVID-19 presented at its annual meeting on 10 March 2020 freely available on its website. Jeffrey Kanne's lecture provides an overview of COVID-19. Michael Chung's lecture is focused on the CT findings and includes scroll throughs of multiple CT stacks. COVID-19 produces a diverse pattern of lung disease on CT. Findings overlap other causes of acute lung injury including influenza. Key findings on CT are:
The College of Radiologists, Singapore has published articles and made available information based on their experience with COVID-19 and SARS including:
The Australian and New Zealand Governments are providing daily updates on the latest medical advice and official reports on their websites. These pages include a collection of useful resources for health professionals and the public in general. You can access this information at the below links:
Australian Government Department of Health
New Zealand Ministry of Health
The latest updates and advice about COVID-19 from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer are available in transcripts and media releases on the Australian Government Department of Health website.
Interim advice on non-inpatient care of persons with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Ministry of Health, New Zealand
COVID-19 Resources for Health Professionals
Advice for health professionals
Ministry of Health, Singapore
Updates on COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Local situation
ACT Health
Latest information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the ACT
NSW Government – Clinical Excellence Commission
Infection Prevention and Control Novel Coronavirus 2019 – Hospital Setting
Infection Prevention and Control Novel Coronavirus 2019 – Primary and Community Care
NSW Government
Infection Prevention and Control Practice Handbook
Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
Information for health services
COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool
Queensland Health
Interim Infection prevention and control guidelines of the management of COVID-19 in Healthcare settings
Interim infection Prevention and control guidelines form the management of COVID-19 in healthcare settings
Placement advice for large numbers of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients
SA Heath
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): information for health professionals
Western Australia Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Tasmania Government, Department of Health
Coronavirus, information for health professionals
Northern Territory Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) acknowledges the risk posed to the community, healthcare workers and all patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on the RANZCOG website here.