Search

Aims To assess the efficacy of a protocol based on two different levels of protective equipment (PE) to avoid Covid 19(C19) infections in the endoscopy unit. Methods To resume our endoscopic activity after the first wave of C19 infection, a protection protocol depending on C19reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result and clinical triage before endoscopy was established. Twoprotection levels were defined: Low (negative PCR and triage), requiring basic protection (hat, gloves, permeable coat, surgical mask in lower and fpp2 in upper endoscopy);and high (positive PCR or symptoms), requiring advanced protection(hat, ocular protection, fpp2 mask, gloves and waterpro of coat). Non urgent endoscopies where cancelled if PCR waspositive. A prospective research evaluating the efficacy of this protocol was completed from april 27th to june 24th. Patientswhere contacted 2 weeks later to exclude a possible C19 infection. Results 2304 patients, 46.1 % women, were included with mean age of 59.88 ±15,547. 987 gastroscopies, 1084colonoscopies, 113 ERCP, 101 ecoendoscopies, 9 enteroscopies and 173 rectosigmoidoscopies were performed. PreviousPCR was made to 2302 patients and was positive in 10 (7 endoscopies were cancelled). We classiffied 2291 (99.7 %)patients as low risk and 13 as high. The PE used by the endoscopist was considered appropriate in 42.2 %, excessive in 41 % and insufficient in 16.7 % according to the protection protocol. This was influenced by the endoscopist (p < 0,01) and thetype of endoscopy: in 43.1 % of the colonoscopies the PE was excessive (p < 0,001). None of the endoscopists were infectedby C19 during the research period. We contacted 1744 patients (75.9 %) with no suspicion of C19 in any. Conclusions A protocol based on two protection levels according to the risk of patients to be infected and the type ofendoscopic procedure, seems to be useful to avoid C19 infections in the endoscopy unit.