Resumption of endoscopy in the Galician colorectal cancer screening programme after the COVID-19 lock down: patient safety results

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2021 Feb;113(2):119-121. doi: 10.17235/reed.2020.7647/2020.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic meant that the population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs had to be suspended. Modifications were made to the organization in order to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. We report the experience of the Galician CRC screening program and patient safety results. Endoscopy was suspended between 13/03/2020 and 11/05/2020. After resumption, a total of 3,310 colonoscopies were performed (1,702 positive fecal occult blood tests and 1,608 endoscopy monitoring) and no SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected in the subsequent two weeks. Thus, resumption of activity associated with population screening was safe.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • COVID-19* / transmission
  • Colonoscopy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Early Detection of Cancer*
  • Hospital Units / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Safety*
  • Quarantine*
  • Spain / epidemiology