Endoscopy During The Covid-19 Pandemic: How To Minimize The Risks? A Single Outpatient Centre Experience

Aims All gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures have a high risk of aerosol contamination of the novel coronavirus to all healthcare workers. For this reason, during the lockdown the health systems reduced all non-urgent endoscopic activities. On this second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic we cannot afford to suspend activities, as the health system is already overloaded. Our centre has continued regular endoscopic activity following a strict protocol to ensure maximum safety for patients and for endoscopy staff.

Methods Since October 2020 all patients requiring endoscopy examinations undergo a telephone triage two days before, which includes questions regarding body temperature, travel history, symptoms. In asymptomatic patients throat swabs for COVID 19 nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction testing are collected the day before; for those with symptoms, endoscopy is postponed and they follow the protocols provided by our government as well as those who tested positive for the swab. During the endoscopy examination, endoscopy staff wear all personal protective equipment: surgical masks, face shields, disposable hats, shoe covers, gowns and gloves.

Results In these two months, despite the exponential increase in infections, we ensured 20 endoscopies a day for 6 days a week. 1040 patients have been subjected to our protocol: 12 were symptomatic, 5 were already aware of being Covid-19 positive and they were in quarantine, 148 refused procedure for several reasons and 3 tested positive for the swab. To date we have secured 83,8 % of our unit’s full capacity and no endoscopy-related COVID-19 nosocomial infections have been reported because of the strict execution of screening protocols.

Conclusions Our experience shows that normal endoscopic activity can continue thanks to a strict screening procedures, ensuring the safety of patients and healthcare workers. It is also a way to screen all the population preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Citation Panarese A, Licinio R, Palermo S et al. eP508 ENDOSCOPY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: HOW TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS? A SINGLE OUTPATIENT CENTRE EXPERIENCE. Endoscopy 2021; 53: S266.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021