COVID-19 and gastrointestinal endoscopy: What should be taken into account?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, declared March 11, 2020, significantly impacted global healthcare systems.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resides in the aerodigestive tract, necessitating precautions in gastrointestinal (GI) settings.
• Gastrointestinal outpatient clinics and endoscopy units faced challenges in managing patient care during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide practical recommendations for gastroenterologists managing emergency endoscopic procedures.
• To offer guidance on infection prevention strategies in the gastroenterology clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To ensure high-quality patient care for individuals undergoing GI procedures with confirmed or unknown COVID-19 status.

Main Methods:

• Review of available data and local experience regarding COVID-19 in gastroenterology.
• Development of recommendations for emergency endoscopic and endoluminal procedures.
• Focus on infection control measures for healthcare professionals and patients.

Main Results:

• Limited availability of data necessitated reliance on local experience.
• Guidelines were developed to address the unique challenges of performing GI procedures during the pandemic.
• Emphasis placed on adapting clinical practice to minimize transmission risks.

Conclusions:

• Gastroenterologists require specific guidance for emergency procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Implementing tailored infection prevention protocols is crucial for patient and staff safety.
• Adapting to the pandemic requires a balance between essential patient care and infection control in gastroenterology.