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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2021; 09(10): E1556-E1560
DOI: 10.1055/a-1526-1169
Original article

Evaluation of the ESGE recommendations for COVID-19 pre-endoscopy risk-stratification in a high-volume center in Germany

Stephan Zellmer‡
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Alanna Ebigbo‡
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Maria Kahn
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Anna Muzalyova
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Johanna Classen
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Vivian Grünherz
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Selin Temizel
2   Department of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Christine Dhillon
3   Covid-19 Task Force, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Helmut Messmann
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Christoph Römmele
1   Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
3   Covid-19 Task Force, University Hospital of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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Abstract

Background and study aims The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has defined COVID-19 infection prevention and control strategies within the endoscopy unit. These include pre-endoscopic questionnaire-based risk-stratification as well as pre-procedure viral testing. Real-life data on the effectiveness of these measures are presented here.

Patients and methods Data from the outpatient endoscopic unit of the University Hospital Augsburg between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 including the second pandemic wave were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were assessed with a pre-endoscopic risk-stratification questionnaire as well as viral testing using an antigen point-of-care test (Ag-POCT) in conjunction with a standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Highly elective procedures were postponed. The theoretically expected number of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was simulated and compared with the actual number. In addition, endoscopy staff was evaluated with a rapid antibody test to determine the number of infections among the personnel.

Results In total, 1029 procedures, 591 questionnaires, 591 Ag-POCTs, and 529 standard PCR tests were performed in 591 patients. 247 procedures in 142 patients were postponed. One Ag-POCT was positive but with a negative PCR test, while one PCR test was positive but with a negative Ag-POCT. This was lower than the theoretically expected number of COVID-19-positive patients (n = 15). One of 43 employees (2.3 %) in the outpatient endoscopy unit was seropositive.

Conclusions Pre-endoscopic risk management including questionnaire-based risk stratification and viral testing seems to be an effective tool in combination with personal protective equipment for SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control within the endoscopy unit even in a high-prevalence setting.

Supplementary material



Publication History

Received: 11 March 2021

Accepted: 25 May 2021

Article published online:
16 September 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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