Lessons from COVID-19 in Forensic Radiology: The Importance of Data and Protocols Standardization in crisis situations

Abstract

The lessons learned from COVID-19, with the pandemic declared in 2020 and the end of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2023, should be documented and analyzed. In Brazil, several sectors adopted biosafety protocols, including Forensic Medicine. The objective of this article is to present the lessons learned in Forensic Radiology through a data survey from a qualitative and quantitative research and literature references. The research with CAAE 50177721.9.0000.5149 collected data between 2021 and 2024 through an electronic form. This study assessed the perception of two professionals’ forensic radiology in legal medicine services (stage 1) and the measures implemented by the Legal Medical Institutes (IML) (stage 2) during the pandemic, identifying the professionals' perception of the area and institutional data regarding the adopted measures. In stage 1, less than 1% of the respondents in radiology were from forensic radiology. Of these, a majority perceived a high-risk work environment, but expressed satisfaction with the guidance received, and the perception of the importance of radiology during the pandemic was overwhelmingly high. In stage 2, the institutions surveyed were the IMLs of Belo Horizonte-MG and Porto Alegre-RS. The settings adopted different procedures, one with training and the implementation of biosafety and isolation protocols, and the other with the suspension of services during certain periods as safety measures. In both settings, there was widespread distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff leave during the pandemic. There were variations in the number of exams performed, with a reduction in where services were interrupted and an increase where services continued with the implemented protocols. The results, when compared with international references, were consistent with biosafety requirements, but there was no COVID-19 screening testing protocol in the national settings studied. There were gaps and challenges in accurately gathering data and information from services that had difficulty recording data. A standardized digital system is recommended to enable input into a unified system, ensuring access to the data. Furthermore, it is essential to observe historical records and regional projections when planning infrastructure and professional training to prepare services to deal with future health crises, while also ensuring the protection of forensic health professionals.