Protection of practitioners
Key factors in ensuring practitioner safety and maintaining practice functionality are discussed by the joint document. In particular, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by all members of the endoscopy team: gloves, mask, eye shield/goggles, face shields, and gown, but practitioners should also be aware of how to put on and take off PPE appropriately.
“Conservation of PPE is critical. Only essential personnel should be present in cases. Consider extended use or reuse of surgical masks and eye protection in accordance with hospital policies,” the document recommends.
“It is important to address our collective staff needs and institute policies that protect our workforce.” To that end, the document recommends that centers should strategically assign available personnel in order to minimize concomitant exposure of those with similar or unique skill sets. This includes the use of nonphysician practitioners and fellows that cannot participate in cases for screening and triaging patients, or performing virtual visits.
Coming at a time of pandemic, when gastrointestinal symptoms have been recognized as a more common symptom of COVID-19 than previously expected and liver damage has been noted as a potential repercussion of SARS-CoV-2 infection, these clinical insights provide a template for gastroenterologists and related professionals for dealing with their patients and keeping themselves safe under dramatically changed circumstances.
The partnered organizations, AASLD, ACG, AGA, and ASGE, are committed to providing updated COVID-19 information as appropriate. However: “Given the evolving and fluid nature of the situation, institutions, hospitals and clinics have also been formulating their own local guidelines, so we urge you to follow the evolving CDC recommendations and your local requirements,” according to the AGA website announcement.
In addition to the joint communication, the society websites each offer additional COVID-19 information. The AGA practice updates on the COVID-19 webpage provides information about announcements, such as the cancellation of Digestive Disease Week® in May, a location for AGA members to discuss their COVID-19 experiences and share advice, and links to the CDC COVID-19 updates.
SOURCE: American Gastroenterological Association et al. March 2020, COVID-19 Clinical Insights for Our Community of Gastroenterologists and Gastroenterology Care Providers.