Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Gastric Content Assessment and Risk Stratification in Perioperative Care
Published on: September 22, 2023
A box-shaped shielding device for reducing the risk of COVID-19 droplet infection during gastrointestinal endoscopic
Hideaki Kawabata1, Yuji Okazaki1, Kazuhisa Watanabe1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital, Kumiyama-cho, Kyoto, Japan.
Background And Aims:
Endoscopists and endoscopic assistants are easily exposed to germs, including COVID-19, during aerosol-generating procedures such as gastrointestinal endoscopy. This retrospective study investigated the utility of a box-shaped shielding device for reducing the risk of COVID-19 droplet infection during endoscopic procedures.
Methods:
We created a cuboid box (500 × 650 × 450 mm) with four sides were covered with a transparent, vinyl-chloride sheet having two windows for endoscopic passage and assistance. The shielding box was then placed over a patient's head and shoulders and covered with another transparent vinyl sheet. We assessed its utility and safety using the medical data concerning the procedure time and vital signs and a questionnaire for the endoscopic staff and patients.
Results:
We performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related procedures using this device for two patients suspected of having COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Both patients were smoothly and successfully treated without any complications. No difficulties were noted with either endoscopic operation or in assisting the procedure, and the transparency was good enough to observe the patients' faces and movements.
Conclusions:
This box-shaped shielding device can be used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 droplet infection during endoscopic procedures in the clinical setting.
Relevance For Patients:
The COVID-19 outbreak has reminded healthcare personnel working in endoscopy units of the importance of infection prevention during endoscopy. The box-shaped shielding device can help endoscopic staff avoid hospital-setting COVID-19 infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:29Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
During an EGD, the endoscope can be used to:
01:28Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:25Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy