Introduction
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, endoscopy units and their staff are at increased
risk of exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
via generation of aerosols from respiratory and gastrointestinal secretion [1]
[2]. To address this risk, national and international societies have published recommendations
for endoscopy units to mitigate infection risks, which include use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) [3]
[4]
[5]. Unfortunately, both verbal and nonverbal communication are significantly impaired
through use of protective masks [6]
[7]
[8]. Effective team work, as a part of endoscopic nontechnical skills (ENTS), is crucial
to team performance and, ultimately, to patient outcomes [6]
[9]
[10]
[11].
Development of new approaches to improve team communication has been accelerated by
the COVID-19 pandemic in endoscopic units but is already advanced in surgical teams
[12]
[13]. Furthermore, with increasingly complex interventions in gastrointestinal endoscopy
[14], the integration of innovative communication technologies will become even more
important.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of digitally enhanced team communication
on endoscopic procedures in times during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Materials and methods
Study design
A prospective, randomized study was conducted at Ulm University hospital in Germany
between November 2020 and January 2021. All endoscopic procedures were performed in
the interdisciplinary endoscopy unit. Endoscopic procedures performed by a core team
(one endoscopist and two nurses, or two endoscopists and one nurse) were enrolled.
In case of hearing impairment, use of hearing aids or declined participation by team
members, the respective examination was not included in the trial. Emergency endoscopies
outside regular working hours were also not considered for the trial.
The study was approved by the institutional review board and ethics committee of the
University of Ulm, Germany, and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04680858).
A table of random numbers was created (RandList, DatInf GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany)
by the principal investigator. Two hundred and three endoscopic examinations were
allocated (ratio 1:1) to one of the following two groups: control group in which the
endoscopy team was equipped with COVID-19 protection equipment according to ESGE guideline
(FFP3 face mask and face shield in case of COVID-19 positive patients) and an interventional
group in which the endoscopy team was also equipped with DECT [3].
Adverse events (AEs) during examinations were recorded directly during endoscopic
procedure. In any case, termination of DECT enhanced communication was possible, if
necessary.
Base noise level was measured for each endoscopy room with a working Olympus Exera
III processor, plugged-in endoscope, and suction pump (Medela, Switzerland) using
sound level meter (Voltcraft, IEC 61672–1, Germany). A cordless DECT Duplex Headset
Intercom Duo (Comhead, Germany) was used for digitally enhanced team communication.
A central controller for wireless communication (Intercom Box) was installed in examination
rooms. Wipe-disinfectable full duplex communication headsets with noise-cancelling
microphones and individual volume adjustment were used (DW Pro2 Phone, Sennheiser,
Germany) ([Fig. 1]). Volume was set individually by the user. In addition, disposable mic protectors
(HYM1000, 3 M, the Netherlands) and single-use ear pads were used.
Fig. 1 a DECT Intercom Headset with FFP3 and face shield in use for COVID-19 high-risk examinations.
b Digital enhanced team communication within colonoscopy, endoscopist (left front),
assisting nurse (right) and sedation performed by nurse (back left). PPE with FFP2
mask, hair net, gown and gloves for moderate risk stratification. c (Left) Cordless DECT Intercom Headsets with microphones on cubic charging station,
noise-cancelling microphones equipped with disposable mike protector. (Right) Controller
for connected audio communication (Intercom Box)
All endoscopic procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists and skilled nurses
in a team of three. The team members changed on a weekly base according to working
schedule. Sedation was performed by either an additional physician or a nurse skilled
in administration of propofol sedation. Sedation of patients was performed using propofol
according to the S3 guideline [15]. Demographic data from the teams, including age, professional experience, and gender,
were collected. Single-use PPE was utilized in accordance with current consensus recommendations
[3]
[4]
[5].
Data on type of examination and performed procedure, PPE, examination time, ASA-state,
communication-associated events, rating of communication (NRS 0–10, 0 = very poor,
10 = very good), quantity of propofol used, and AEs and severe AEs were recorded.
The subjective grade of communication comfort during endoscopic work was assessed
using a questionnaire administered to the participating endoscopists and nurses. Wearing
comfort, voice quality, headphone quality, and overall impression were recorded (rated
from 1 = very good to 6 = very poor).
The primary endpoint was the number of communication-associated events (CAE) during
endoscopic procedure. CAEʼs were defined as follows: 1) acoustic misunderstanding
which made a further explanation of the instruction necessary; 2) acoustic misunderstanding
which leads to the wrong tool being handed to the endoscopist; 3) instruction not
heard by the team, which must then be repeated; 4) instruction to which no response
is given at all. CAEʼs were noted by a DECT-equipped study nurse with appropriate
PPE who was not involved in endoscopic procedures.
Secondary endpoints included duration of examination, rate of AEs, severe AEs during
endoscopic procedures, and subjectively perceived comfort of team members with DECT
devices during procedures.
Based upon experience from internal quality control data, an average of 1.8 communication-associated
events is observed per endoscopic examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate
of communication-associated events with DECT was expected to be reduced from 1.8 to
1.0. Thus, a sample size of 98 examinations in each group was calculated for a statistical
power of 80 % at a two-tailed significance level of 0.05. To compensate potential
dropouts, a total sample size of 210 was determined. Statistical analysis was performed
using SPSS Statistics 21 (IBM, USA). Chi-squared test, Fisherʼs exact test, Mann-Whitney
U test, and correlation analysis were used wherever applicable. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Results
Overall, 203 eligible procedures were included in the study and randomized 1:1 to
one of the two study groups (103 with DECT, 100 without DECT). Seven procedures were
excluded because of technical defect (1) or altered core team composition (6).
Average baseline noise level for each examination room and room size are summarized
in Table S2.
Examination characteristics are shown in [Table 1] and Table S1. No significant differences were found between the patients and procedures in the
study group and control group in terms of ASA state (P = 0.421), type of examination and procedure performed (P = 0.573) and type of protective equipment (P = 0.718). In general, FFP3 face masks and face shields were only used for examinations
of patients confirmed or highly likely to be COVID-19-positive (in total 7 endoscopic
examinations, [Table 1]).
Table 1
Examination characteristics, patient risk stratification, and type of protective equipment.
|
Characteristics
|
Standard
(n = 100)
|
With headset
(n = 103)
|
P value
|
|
Gastroscopy
|
0.272
|
|
|
29
|
33
|
|
|
16
|
8
|
|
Colonoscopy
|
0.627
|
|
|
16
|
17
|
|
|
16
|
13
|
|
EUS
|
0.282
|
|
|
11
|
9
|
|
|
3
|
8
|
|
ERCP
|
9
|
15
|
0.573
|
|
Face mask
|
0.718
|
|
|
96
|
100
|
|
|
4
|
3
|
|
ASA
|
0.421
|
|
|
16
|
9
|
|
|
57
|
65
|
|
|
24
|
27
|
|
|
3
|
2
|
|
Propofol, mg,mean±SD
|
177.6 ± 68.8
|
179.8 ± 71.9
|
0.789
|
|
Examination time, min, mean±SD
|
35.1 ± 23.4
|
34.0 ± 26.2
|
0.320
|
EUS, endoscopic ultrasound; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography;
FFP, filtering face piece; FFP3, filtering face piece plus shield worn in case of
proven or highly suspected COVID-19 infection; ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Ten endoscopists and 13 nurses participated in the study. Demographic data and work
experience are summarized in [Table 2].
Table 2
Demographic characteristics and work experience of endoscopists and nurses.
|
Team characteristic
|
Endoscopist (n = 10)
|
Nurse (n = 13)
|
P value
|
|
Age, years, mean±SD
|
42.2 ± 7.1
|
43.3 ± 11.8
|
0.585
|
|
Age (range), years
|
33–55
|
26–62
|
|
Experience (mean±SD), years
|
11.7 ± 8.5
|
8.7 ± 8.6
|
0.487
|
|
Experience (range), years
|
1–25
|
1–30
|
|
Sex, n (%)
|
< 0.001
|
|
|
9 (90)
|
1 (8)
|
|
|
1 (10)
|
12 (92)
|
SD, standard deviation.
Considering the primary endpoint, the occurrence of communication-associated events
in total (184 vs. 66; P < 0.001) and per examination (0.6 ± 1.0 vs. 1.7 ± 1.8; P < 0.001) was significantly reduced using DECT devices ([Table 3] and [Fig. 2]).
Table 3
Communication-associated events and rating of communication.
|
Variable
|
Standard
(n = 100)
|
With Headset
(n = 103)
|
P value
|
|
Communication-associated events (total)
|
184
|
66
|
< 0.001
|
|
|
151
|
59
|
< 0.001
|
|
|
22
|
6
|
< 0.001
|
|
|
11
|
1
|
< 0.001
|
|
Communication-associated events per examination, mean±SD
|
1.7±1.8
|
0.6±1.0
|
< 0.001
|
|
Communication-associated events per minute, mean±SD
|
0.07±0.11
|
0.02±0.05
|
< 0.001
|
|
Rating of communication, mean±SD
|
5.2±1.8
|
8.6±1.2
|
< 0.001
|
SD, standard deviation.
Fig. 2 (Left) Communication-associated events per examination with standard communication
and with DECT enhanced communication. (Right) Rating of interpersonal communication
with and without headset on a NRS (numeric rating scale) from 0 (very bad) to 10 (very
good); DECT = Digital enhanced cordless telecommunication.
Furthermore, the different types of communication-associated events (need for repetitive
request, delivery of the wrong tool, no answer after being verbally addressed) occurred
significantly more frequent in the standard communication group ([Table 3]).
Communication quality was rated significantly better in the DECT group (5.2 ± 1.8
vs. 8.6 ± 1.2; P < 0.001) ([Fig. 2] and [Table 3]).
However, there was no significant difference regarding the time of examination, propofol
per examination, and occurrence of serious AEs. In total, only one serious AE was
observed with no relation to the study conduct. Primary and secondary outcomes are
summarized in [Table 1], [Table 3], and Table S1.
Speech and hearing quality, comfort, and overall satisfaction with DECT devices were
positively rated by nurses and endoscopists. The results of the questionnaire are
summarized in [Table 4] and Table S3.
Table 4
Perceptions of wearing comfort, voice quality, headphone quality, and overall satisfaction
among endoscopists and nurses.
|
DECT characteristic
|
Endoscopist (n = 10)
|
Nurse (n = 13)
|
P value
|
|
Wearing comfort, mean±SD
|
1.65 ± 0.61
|
1.70 ± 0.63
|
0.585
|
|
Voice quality, mean±SD
|
1.71 ± 0.59
|
1.70 ± 0.56
|
0.154
|
|
Headphone quality, mean±SD
|
1.65 ± 0.61
|
1.70 ± 0.63
|
0.160
|
|
Overall satisfaction, mean±SD
|
1.71 ± 0.69
|
1.65 ± 0.65
|
0.313
|
Ratings are based on a scale from 1 to 6, 1 = best perceived quality, 6 = worst perceived
quality.
SD, standard deviation.
Discussion
The present study demonstrates a positive impact of digitally enhanced communication
on team communication during endoscopic procedures. According to our data, a lower
rate of communication issues and a high level of contentedness with team communication
using DECT communication was reported.
Although optimal team communication might be affected by multiple factors, it is closely
associated with high-quality acoustics. In our study, digitally enhanced communication
was effective in improving team communication. Given the fact that standard acoustic
interaction is impaired by PPE in addition to background noise in the endoscopy unit,
digital communication support is a potentially modifiable factor that can impact the
quality of team communication not only during the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially challenging
procedures in gastrointestinal endoscopy might benefit from enhanced communication
regarding the development of increasingly complex intervention techniques [14]. Nevertheless, the multifactor genesis of impaired team communication must be stated:
In addition to optimal acoustic conditions, human factors must be taken into consideration
and further improvement in team communication may be achieved with structured communication
training. Furthermore, the use of DECT device comes with its own challenges: Technical
difficulties and loss of time due to necessary habituation period hamper improved
work flow in endoscopy at the beginning.
Potential further future and post-COVID-19 applications might be the integration of
a nurse outside the examination room to supply missing tools or an even closer connection
in terms of education in endoscopy. Limitations on routine application of DECT in
gastrointestinal endoscopy remain to be explored, especially considering the economic
effort and the potential clinical benefit.
We acknowledge certain limitations of our study. First, because of its monocentric
and pilot-trial design at a university hospital, general transferability of the data
may be impaired. Future studies should demonstrate the impact of digitally enhanced
communication in endoscopy and should elaborate on a general recommendation for communication
for health care providers (HCP) in endoscopy. Second, only the core team (3 members)
and the study nurse were equipped with DECT in this study. Whether it is beneficial
to integrate more team members into the DECT workflow should be further evaluated
in larger studies. Third, it must be acknowledged that this study was performed at
the beginning of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, during which
PPE was more likely to be worn for upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. This
may limit its transferability in post-COVID gastroinestinal endoscopy. Nevertheless,
it also should be stated that applications of enhanced team communication while using
PPE will remain valid for treatment of patients with other infectious diseases and
for communication without PPE. Fourth, the study was performed with Olympus EXERA
III series whereas the newer X1-series might result in quieter surroundings. Furthermore,
given how the study was designed, participant blinding was not possible, which could
confer some systemic bias to the results.
Finally, it must be stated that no significant effect on examination time or occurrence
of serious AEs was observed by using DECT device. Larger studies with more complex
interventions may show these effects in the future. Furthermore, data on the development
of serious AEs in patients were only collected directly during endoscopic procedures.
There was no postinterventional observation of patient outcomes and incidence of complications
after endoscopy. Therefore, we cannot state whether patients benefitted from improved
team communication during the postinterventional course. Further studies are mandatory
to investigate this issue over a longer investigation period.
Conclusions
In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time the impact of digitally enhanced
telecommunication as an effective and well-accepted tool for improving the quality
of team communication in endoscopy. Digital assisted communication, such as DECT systems,
may help improve and maintain high-quality team communication during increasingly
complex endoscopic procedures.
