AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightConclusion: Endoscopic procedures can be performed safely under pandemic conditions, with arrange ments in the endoscopy unit, complete procurement of Personal protective equipment, training of healthcareprofessionals, and pre-procedure polymerase chain reaction.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Introduction: It is known that endoscopic procedures are reduced all over the world in the coronavirus dis ease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The results of clinics operating without interrupting elective endoscopicprocedures during the pandemic process are unknown. We aimed to explain the endoscopy procedures,precautions, experiences, and how safe endoscopy service is provided by our clinic, which continues itsendoscopy service during the pandemic without patient selection and number restrictions. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study. Between March 2020and March 2021, the patients who underwent endoscopic procedures have included in the study. Medicalfiles of 5986 patients were accessed from the hospital database and evaluated. COVID-19 transmissionstatus of healthcare professionals working in endoscopy was analyzed.Results: About 3722 of patients were men (62.2%), 2264 of patients were women (37.8%). The mean age ofthe patients was 53±12 (17–85). Gastroscopy was performed in 3824 (63.8%) patients, and colonoscopywas performed in 1606 (30%) patients. Rectoscopy and sigmoidoscopy 205 (2.68%), colonoscopic polypec tomy 190 (3.17%), gastroscopic polypectomy 77 (1.28%), foreign body removal by emergency gastroscopy31 (0.51%), endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy 29 (0.48%), emergency gastroscopy for upper gastroin testinal bleeding 19 (0.31%) and 5 (0.08%) emergency colonoscopy for volvulus detorsion was performed.Only 2 (8.3%) of healthcare workers had Covid 19 transmission during the pandemic process. Conclusion: Endoscopic procedures can be performed safely under pandemic conditions, with arrange ments in the endoscopy unit, complete procurement of Personal protective equipment, training of healthcareprofessionals, and pre-procedure polymerase chain reaction.