Bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Practice

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted medical procedures, including bronchoscopy.
• Physician attitudes and behaviors regarding bronchoscopy during this period required evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess physician practices and attitudes towards performing bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• To investigate the correlation between bronchoscopy procedures and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study involving 153 physicians between March and May 2020.
• Data collection via a 18-question survey, administered twice with a five-day interval.
• Analysis of physician practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization, and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates.

Main Results:

• A majority of physicians performed fewer bronchoscopies during the pandemic, with 33% not performing the procedure at all.
• Only 20% of physicians performed bronchoscopy on patients with potential or confirmed COVID-19.
• High utilization of PPE (masks, goggles) was reported by nearly all physicians.
• No statistically significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates was observed between physicians who performed bronchoscopy on COVID-19 patients and those who did not (9.7% vs. 4.1%, p>0.05).

Conclusions:

• Physicians adhered to established guidelines for performing bronchoscopy during the pandemic.
• High rates of PPE use may have contributed to the lack of significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
• The study suggests that bronchoscopy can be performed with appropriate precautions during pandemics without a statistically significant increase in transmission risk.