Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on all endoscopy centers in the Czech Republic, that belongs to the most affected countries in the world. The aim of our study was to analyze all procedures following routine RT-PCR testing in our tertiary center during the peak of the pandemic. We retrospectively analyzed all procedures performed from October 2020 to January 2021 after a new RT-PCR center had been set up. Main outcomes were type of scheduled procedure, indication, rate of therapeutic interventions and rate of new relevant and malignant findings. Comparison to the same period before the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 infection in endoscopy staff are also reported. A total of 1,953 procedures were performed. 624 patients were referred with a negative RT-PCR test and the remaining 1,346 patients were tested in the new center. 1,293 negative tests led to 1,329 procedures. A new relevant finding was reported in 589 (44.3%), including new malignancy in 56 (4.2%). 53 patients tested positive (3.9%). There was a reduction by 9% in the number of all procedures compared to the same period before the pandemic and an increase in the number of screening colonoscopies and ERCP procedures. In the study period, 9 of 54 staff members contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. Routine RT-PCR testing of patients scheduled for elective endoscopy during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic enabled us to essentially maintain our unit productivity, including activities such as screening colonoscopy, endoscopic resection and pancreatobiliary endoscopy.
Highlights
METHODSIn December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leading to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged and has since caused one of the worst pandemics in modern history
With the pandemic impacting on endoscopy units throughout the country during spring and summer 2020 and once again quickly increasing incidence of COVID-19 in September and October 2020, we decided to set up a new reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) center, aiming to keep our endoscopy unit in operation by routine RT-PCR testing before elective endoscopy procedures
This was a retrospective analysis of all endoscopy procedures performed in a single tertiary endoscopy unit after routine RT-PCR testing from October 12th, 2020 to January 31st, 2021
Summary
METHODSIn December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) leading to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged and has since caused one of the worst pandemics in modern history. The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of all endoscopy procedures in our tertiary endoscopy center from October 12th, 2020 to January 31st, 2021 and a comparison to the same period of the previous two years just before pandemic outbreak. This was a retrospective analysis of all endoscopy procedures performed in a single tertiary endoscopy unit after routine RT-PCR testing from October 12th, 2020 to January 31st, 2021. Routine RT-PCR testing of patients scheduled for elective endoscopy during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic enabled us to essentially maintain our unit productivity, including activities such as screening colonoscopy, endoscopic resection and pancreatobiliary endoscopy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
