ORCHESTRA Delphi Consensus: diagnostic and therapeutic management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in haematological patients

Objective: COVID-19 poses a significant risk to individuals with haematological malignancies (HM), as they are particularly vulnerable to severe disease progression and hospitalisation due to their compromised immune systems. Many clinical decisions regarding the management of COVID-19 in these patients are yet to be fully addressed by existing guidelines, leading to variability in care. Methods: A 28-item Delphi survey was developed to gather expert opinions on key areas of COVID-19 management in HM patients, including risk stratification for severe COVID-19, diagnostic processes, and treatment decisions. Results: Twenty-one experts with backgrounds in haematology and infectious diseases were enrolled. Of the 28 questions posed to the experts, consensus was reached on 15 statements. Conclusions: These Delphi consensus statements offer valuable suggestions with direct implications for clinical practice, addressing critical areas such as risk identification, appropriate diagnostic approaches, and tailored treatment strategies for HM patients with COVID-19. The findings provide actionable insights that may help fill gaps in current scientific literature, enhancing patient care and decision-making in this high-risk population.