Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Proposal for the return to routine endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020; Elsevier BV; Volume: 92; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.gie.2020.04.050

1097-6779

Sunil Gupta, Neal Shahidi, Nicole Gilroy, Douglas K. Rex, Nicholas G. Burgess, Michael J. Bourke,

Dental Research and COVID-19

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many jurisdictions and gastroenterological societies around the world have suspended nonurgent endoscopy. Subject to country-specific variability, it is projected that with current mitigation measures in place, the peak incidence of active COVID-19 infections may be delayed by over 6 months. Although this aims to prevent the overburdening of healthcare systems, prolonged deferral of elective endoscopy will become unsustainable. Herein, we propose that by incorporating readily available point-of-care tests and conducting accurate clinical risk assessments, a safe and timely return to elective endoscopy is feasible. Our algorithm not only focuses on the safety of patients and healthcare workers, but also assists in rationalizing the use of invaluable resources such as personal protective equipment.