COVID-19 Serologic Screening and a Strict Protocol in the Management of a Referral Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit: a Prospective Study
COVID-19 Serologic Screening and a Strict Protocol in the Management of a Referral Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit: a Prospective Study
The novel COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted daily activities in nearly 210 countries and territories worldwide. In Ecuador, the city of Guayaquil has nearly two-thirds of the COVID-positive patients in the country and nearly 40% of infected individuals are health-care related personnel.
Nonemergent, emergent and urgent endoscopic procedures are necessary to be performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several experiences in the management of the endoscopic unit during the pandemic has been proposed. We aimed to prospectively evaluate a strict protocol for preventing potential nosocomial infection of COVID-19.
Consecutive patients with appointment for endoscopic examination and procedures will be contacted via a telephone call by a pulmonologist, who will perform a triage with a screening questionnaire between 24-48 hours before the scheduled procedure. The pulmonologist will seek for history of fever, respiratory symptoms, and/or close-contacts COVID-patients. After exclusion of all respiratory symptoms or history suggestive of COVID-19, patients will be evaluated for serum IgG and IgM levels using a rapid test.
Only after complete evaluation and revision of serological levels, body temperature will be measure before entering the endoscopy unit. Patients will be isolated in an individual preoperative and recovery room after the endoscopic procedure, avoiding contacts with other patients. The endoscopy staff (endoscopists, nurses, administrative personal, anesthesia staff) will use personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 face mask, face shield, shoe covers, gowns, and gloves.
All the staff will be evaluated for nucleic acid PCR testing within three days before resuming activities in the endoscopy unit, all staff members will be evaluated for respiratory symptoms and changes in body temperature before starting daily activities. At the end of the study all the staff will be evaluated for IgM and IgG antibodies against COVID-19.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: