Guideline on Endoscopic Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AGA recommendations emphasize increased use of personal protective equipment.

Sponsoring Organization: American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)

Background: COVID-19 has the potential to be transmitted during gastrointestinal procedures, via aerosolized droplets from the posterior pharynx and bronchioles, and possibly via fecal shedding. The AGA has now issued recommendations to mitigate risk to endoscopy personnel, based on a systematic review of the literature.

Key Recommendations

All gastrointestinal (GI) procedures should be triaged by trained personnel and rescheduled if not time-sensitive. This includes most screening and surveillance colonoscopies.
Healthcare workers performing upper or lower GI procedures should use the N95 mask, regardless of a patient's COVID-19 status. Alternatives are the N99 mask and po…

Reviewing Author

Charles J. Kahi, MD, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HSR&D; VA Cooperative Studies Program; VA QUERI

Editorial BoardsClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology; AGA Perspectives

Charles J. Kahi, MD, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) HSR&D; VA Cooperative Studies Program; VA QUERI

Editorial BoardsClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology; AGA Perspectives

Guideline on Endoscopic Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Topics

Key Recommendations

Reviewing Author