The Austin medial community is taking extra steps to ensure the safety of patients and staff during the COVID-19 health crisis. Ryan Tierney, M.D., radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology–South Austin joined the Breast Cancer Resource Center to shed light on delaying or continuing radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment during COVID-19.
Dr. Tierney shares that Texas Oncology specifically implemented new protocols such as urging all patients with fever, cough, or shortness of breath to call before coming in, screening everyone who enters the clinics, providing information for patients who may need COVID-19 testing, postponing non-urgent appointments, and conducting telemedicine appointments.
Dr. Tierney emphasizes that patients who are coming in for radiation therapy should minimize contact with others and talk with their provider before their appointment if they are not feeling well.
View Dr. Tierney’s full interview below.