Safety in digestive endoscopy procedures in the covid era recommendations in progres of the italian society of digestive endoscopy

Abstract

The new corona virus disease has started in Wuhan - China at the end of 2019 and quickly spread with a pandemic trend across the rest of the world. The scientific community is making an extraordinary effort to study and control the situation, but the results are just partial. Based on the most recent scientific literature and strong statements by the most prestigious international health institutions, the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy has drawn up some recommendations about the use of personal protective equipment, the correct way of dressing and undressing of endoscopists and nurses, before and after digestive endoscopy procedures. In addition, some other important indications are given to reduce the risk of contamination of healthcare providers during endoscopic activities, in the setting of a pandemic. Nevertheless, because of the very quick evolution of our knowledge on this issue, these recommendations must be considered as evolving, because they could change in a short time.

Keywords: AGP: Aerosol Generating Procedure; CoViD-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019; DGP: Droplet Generating Procedure; Digestive endoscopy; Healthcare workers; PPE: Personal Protective Equipment; SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Safety.