Chapter of Gastroenterologists professional guidance on risk mitigation for gastrointestinal endoscopy during COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore

Singapore Med J. 2020 Jul;61(7):345-349. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2020050. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Abstract

In this paper, we aimed to provide professional guidance to practising gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopists for the safe conduct of GI endoscopy procedures during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and future outbreaks of similar severe respiratory tract infections in Singapore. It draws on the lessons learnt during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and available published data concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses measures before, during and after endoscopy that must be considered for both non-infected and infected patients, and provides recommendations for practical implementation.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; endoscopy; gastroenterology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / standards*
  • Gastroenterologists / standards*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Singapore / epidemiology