Novel Screening and Triage Strategy in Iran During Deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic: Value of Humanitarian Teleconsultation Service

• Authors: Amir Davarpanah, Emory University; Arash Mahdavi, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Modarres Hospital; Ali Sabri, McMaster University; Taraneh Faghihi Langroudi, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Modarres Hospital; Shahram Kahkouee, SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center; Sara Haseli, SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center; Mohammad Ali Kazemi, Imam Khomeini Hospital; Payam Mehrian, SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center; Ali Mahdavi, Imam Hossein Hospital; Farahnaz Falahati, Iranian Society of Radiology; Abuzar moradi Tuchayi, Emory University; Mehrdad Bakhshayeshkaram, SBUMS Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center; Morteza Sanei Taheri, Shohada-e Tajrish Hospital
• Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Radiology
• Volume: Volume 17, Number 6
• Publisher: (publisher) | 2020-06-01, Pages 734-738
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2020.03.015
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Radiology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Health Care Management
• Keywords: Altruism; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Iran; Male; Mass Screening; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Remote Consultation; Risk Assessment; Teleradiology; Triage

Abstract

The current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in at least 156 countries has been classified by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic [1]. The long incubation period and low disease severity in the early stage contributed to rapid increase in case numbers. The infection ranges from mild to severe respiratory illness, potentially progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome in 17% to 29% of patients [2]. Disease severity resulted in global public health efforts to contain person-to-person viral spread by early detection.