Abstract

Performing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy during the current COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. The ease of transmission at close proximity, especially in the context of aerosol generating procedures (AGP), raises the spectre of inadvertent healthcare worker (HCW) exposure and infection during GI endoscopy procedures, with further transmission to other HCW and patients, causing a nosocomial outbreak. Appropriate systematic processes must be put in place to enhance the safety of both HCW and patients, and limited resources must be utilized in a rationale manner. Although the practice of evidence-based medicine is advocated, objective scientific data may be lacking initially, and a judgment call has to be made. Even when key principles of safe practice are adhered to, specific approaches must be contextualized to actual needs on the ground.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

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