Activation of an ambulatory digestive endoscopy center during the second covid-19 wave the protocol impact on safety and infection risk.

Abstract

During the second COVID-19 wave (April 1 - August 31, 2021) a prospective study was carried out at the ambulatory endoscopy center (CEMAR Rosario, Argentina) to analyze the level of safety of a COVID-19 prevention protocol in 162 patients (79 men and 83 women; average age: 50.7 years (mean age/SD: ±15) and in endoscopy service staff (3 endoscopists, 3 assistants, 3 anesthetists, 2 recuperators and 2 administrative staff). The patients underwent pre-anesthetic consultation 5 days before the study and Triple Triage (swabbing (PCR) 48 hours and telephone control 24 hours before the study and a clinical evaluation on the day of the study). This was followed by another telephone control at 48 hours, 7- and 14-days post-study. The endoscopy service staff underwent a Triage, centered on personal protective equipment and room conditioning. Neither they nor the staff presented post-procedure clinical evidence compatible with COVID-19 (days 2, 7, and 14 post-study). There were no significant intra- or post-procedure complications. The multiple protocolized measures showed high effectiveness in terms of protection for the patient and staff against COVID-19 infection, which would denote usefulness to avoid delays in regard to diagnostic endoscopies for relevant digestive diseases.