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Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaDigestive Endoscopy Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Address correspondence to Mei Liu, MD, PhD and Dean Tian, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive endoscopy center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaDigestive Endoscopy Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Address correspondence to Mei Liu, MD, PhD and Dean Tian, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive endoscopy center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaDigestive Endoscopy Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
During and recovering from Covid-19 endemic period, endoscopy labs needs to focus on these 5 directions in infection control:
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Patient triage and prescreening before endoscopy.
•
Reconstruction and modification of endoscopy center.
•
Regular monitoring of personal protective equipment.
•
Protective device training.
•
Implementation of a strategy for stepwise resumption of endoscopic services in post endemic period.
The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and causing a global public health emergency. During the outbreak, Wuhan was the first reported and hardest-hit city. With the dramatic drop in number of confirmed cases and subsequent ending of Wuhan lock down, asymptomatic carriers and patients in their recovery period still pose an increased risk. Strict and effective infection control protocols should be established and followed.
The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected pneumonia was first identified in Wuhan City and referred to as the COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is causing a global pandemic currently. In order to control the epidemic outbreak, the Chinese government mandated a city wide quarantine and lock down of Wuhan on January 23, 2020. As of June 9, 2020, Wuhan had a total of 50,340 confirmed cases and 3,869 deaths. With the initial success for COVID-19 control and prevention, Wuhan had a significant drop in the number of newly confirmed cases and announced the ending lockdown on April 8, 2020. The majority of city hospitals started to resume outpatient clinical work, to meet the increasing demand for routine endoscopic activities. However, due to the characteristics of endoscopy operations, the risk of cross infection may be still high between the endoscopist, staff and the patients. Furthermore, the slow-growing emerging cases of asymptomatic carriers sounded an alarm to us. Here we share our experience and policies, provide recommendations for gastrointestinal endoscopy units on infection control during post-Covid-19 endemic outbreak. The endoscopy labs needs to focus on these 5 directions: (1) patient triage and prescreening before endoscopy; (2) reconstruction of endoscopy center;(3) regular monitoring of personal protective equipment (PPE); (4) protective device training; and (5) implementation of a strategy for stepwise resumption of endoscopic services in post endemic period.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS OF COVID-19
Robust evidence coming from Wuhan and other regions across China confirms that about 80% of Covid-19 patients were asymptomatic or only had mild disease. The median age of infected patients was below 60 years.
Of confirmed cases, about 20% were seriously or critically ill. Fever, cough, and fatigue were the dominant symptoms while some patients also presented other atypical symptoms, such as headache, sore throat, shortness of breath, and muscle soreness.
The most common laboratory abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 were elevated C-reactive protein, decreased lymphocyte count and increased lactate dehydrogenase.
Among patients who underwent chest computerized tomography (CT), ground-glass opacities and bilateral pneumonia were the most frequently reported findings.
On the other hand, the elderly and those with comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver diseases, malignancy were more likely to develop serious complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, arrhythmia, and shock critical illness.
Organization WH. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected. 2020. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331446. Accessed August 31, 2020.
the diagnosis of COVID-19 can be made based on a combination of epidemiologic information (eg, a history of residence in or travel to affected region 14 days prior to symptomatic onset), clinical symptoms, laboratory tests (eg, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] tests on respiratory tract specimens) and chest CT scan findings. Of note, a single negative RT-PCR test from suspected patients for COVID-19 does not exclude infection. All health care providers should be alert of patients with an epidemiologic history, COVID-19 related symptoms, abnormal laboratory tests, and/or positive CT scan results.
ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS POSE INFECTION RISK DURING ROUTINE ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES
It is now believed that COVID-19 infects human by transmitting respiratory droplets and through contact transmission.
Special expert group for control of the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia of the Chinese preventive medicine A. [An update on the epidemiological characteristics of novel coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19].
Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi.2020; 41: 139-144
Rapid asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 during the incubation period demonstrating strong infectivity in a cluster of youngsters aged 16-23 years outside Wuhan and characteristics of young patients with COVID-19: a prospective contact-tracing study.
This epidemiologic characteristics of COVID-19 has made its control extremely challenging, as it is difficult to identify and quarantine these patients during presymptomatic stage and for asymptomatic carriers.
Special expert group for control of the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia of the Chinese preventive medicine A. [An update on the epidemiological characteristics of novel coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19].
Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi.2020; 41: 139-144
Since there is a large accumulated volume of postponed endoscopy cases during Wuhan lock down, a significant number of patients needing routine endoscopy procedures may fall in the category of asymptomatic carriers or those in their recovering period. These are potential infection risks to healthcare providers (HCP) in endoscopy centers. Preventive measures are necessary to avoid massive endoscopy-related transmission of the virus. In the following context we would like to share Wuhan experience regarding endoscopy lab infection control.
PATIENT TRIAGE AND PRESCREENING BEFORE ENDOSCOPY
All patients must undergo triage and screening. According to our hospital's infection control guidelines, routine outpatient blood tests, a Covid-19 nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction testing done on nose/throat samples, serum antibody against SARS-CoV-2, and a chest CT scan are all required 7 days before endoscopy. For those patients who were released from quarantine, an official document issued by health authority is also required. In cases of endoscopic emergency or urgency, the patients should take a rapid testing on the day of endoscopy. After completing these required COVID-19 tests, the patients need to sign an informed consent and complete a screening questionnaires at the endoscopy lab check in area, which include questions regarding body temperature, symptoms and all the mentioned above results within 7 days. Only after the patients complete the evaluation and are confirmed to have a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they can be formally checked into the endoscopy center, otherwise patients are suggested to go to fever clinic for further evaluation and management (Fig 1 and Supplemental content 1). Proper patient triage and pre-endoscopy screening are the first line of defense against potential nosocomial infections.
Fig 1Patient triage and prescreening workflow in digestive endoscopy during COVID-19 endemic in Wuhan.
Similar to the 2 newly built designated Covid-19 hospitals in Wuhan in early February, 2020, our endoscopy center was also modified or reconstructed according to the so-called “three-areas and two-passages” requirement (Fig 2): (1) Clean areas: medical staff offices, change rooms, storage rooms, and meeting room. In these areas HCP can rest and put on PPE; (2) Contaminated areas: waiting hall, appointment rooms, endoscopy procedure rooms and cleaning and disinfection rooms; (3) Potential contaminated areas: these areas are between the clean areas and the contaminated areas. Here, in Figure 2, we enclosed a setup of original endoscopy rooms 7 and 8 by installing 3 doors in the passages and transformed them into 2 separate potential contaminated areas where HCP can remove the PPE after endoscopic procedures. We also installed a temporary wall in the main passage to separate the patient passage and staff passage, therefore isolating HCP from patients to reduce the risk of transmission. All patients arrive at the endoscopy lab waiting lobby by elevator, enter endoscopy center through the front door into the contaminated area through a patient passage. Whereas all HCP walk upstairs on the other side and enter the endoscopic center from the side door, arriving at the clean area through a special staff passage. After putting on PPE in the clean area, HCP then go through the potential contaminated area and finally arrive at contaminated area for endoscopic procedures. Furthermore, we only allow one family member or chaperone per patient who will wait at the waiting area and stay at least 1 meter from each other. Every patient and family member should wear a surgical mask when waiting outside the endoscopy center. Only the patient is permitted to enter the endoscopy center. In this way, we minimize the contact between patients and HCP in the nonprotective state, thereby reducing the risk of nosocomial infection.
Fig 2Reconstruction diagram of our digestive endoscopy center as “Three areas and two passages” in Wuhan.
Retching and coughing can occur during upper endoscopy, generating aerosols. Likewise, patients undergoing colonoscopy may pass flatus and contaminate the surroundings. A recent study in the GI lab found microbes on face shields affixed to the wall 6 feet away from the patient. Although this study does not support the assertion that the unrecognized exposure of the endoscopist's face to potentially infectious samples during endoscopy, the use of universal facial protection during GI endoscopy is recommended.
as such may pose potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. WHO recently published a guideline on the rational use of personal PPE in health care and community settings.
These include the use of a respirator (N95, FFP2 standard, or equivalent), gowns, gloves, and an eye protection. In China, protective coveralls are most usually used during this outbreak, and gowns are the alternative when protective coveralls are not available.
Medical or surgical masks are loose-fitting and may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets. However, they cannot filter very tiny particles in the air that are generated by sneezing or certain medical procedures, the N95/FFP2/FFP3 respirator is a protective device designed to form a nice seal around the nose and mouth and provides extremely efficient filtration of airborne particles that can be inhaled through the nose or mouth. A recent study from China showed that no medical personnel working in high-risk departments who practiced strict hand hygiene and wore N95s had become infected regardless of patient's infection status.
Here we therefore recommend that for HCP including anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, an N95 should be used for all endoscopy procedures, and using a Powered Air Purifying Respirator for known COVID-19 positive cases if the procedure absolutely cannot be deferred.
INFECTION CONTROL FOR ENDOSCOPY STAFF
For every health care provider working in the lab, nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction, serum antibodies, a chest CT scan and daily temperature monitoring should be performed. If the result is abnormal, it needs to be reported to the hospital's infection control department immediately for further investigation. In our endoscopy center, all endoscopists and staff received training on infection control, appropriate use of PPE, and standard hand hygiene procedures by using smart phone apps, e-mails, and video conferences. These details have been described in recently published reports.
Additionally, every health care provider is required to wear surgical mask after work, and continues to practice good hand hygiene and social distance to avoid community-acquired infection. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan from January to March, urgent endoscopy was limited to foreign body retrieval, acute GI bleeding, biliary sepsis and GI obstruction requiring stenting. Since the ending of citywide quarantine on April 8, Wuhan has gradually recovered in every aspect including the health care system. Our center also has resumed all routine diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy including endoscopic mucosa resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. The majority of the endoscopic procedures were categorized as biosafety level 2 and the protection level was raised to 3 for tracheal intubation, sputum suction, and airway care, or riskier endoscopic procedures that can produce liquid spatter or aerosols, such as acute GI bleeding, lower GI obstruction requiring stenting. We are very cautious because we believe it is impossible to screen out due to limitations of all existing detection methods, and those who are classified as having a low risk of infection may not be in low risk category. We strongly recommend that the use of medical supplies should be carefully planned and administrators of the endoscopy center should regularly communicate with the hospital administration about the supply and logistics of medical equipment and PPE according to daily endoscopic demand and volume.
ENDOSCOPE REPROCESSING AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER DECONTAMINATION
In our center, the personnel working in the endoscope reprocessing room are provided with full PPE including N95 respirators. Recently US Environmental Protection Agency published a list referring to available chemical disinfectants against SARSCoV-2.
ECRI Disinfectant concentrations and contact times for EPA's list of products effective against novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
Health Devices.2020; (Available at:https://www.ecri.org/components/HDJournal/Pages/Disinfectant-Concentrations-for-EPA-list-N-COVID-19.aspx?tab=2. Accessed August 31, 2020)
Furthermore, previous studies have shown that ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) can inactivate coronaviruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV),
thus this can be utilized for respirator disinfection to facilitate the reuse of dwindling supplies. For suspected or confirmed patients, a single room is prepared. After the endoscopy procedure, we currently use UVGI to disinfect the room for 1 hour. The floor and surface of endoscopy furniture should be wiped or sprayed with disinfectant containing 1,000 mg/L chlorine or 500 mg/L chlorine dioxide at least 30 minutes. Standard room disinfection policy should also be kept in rooms where non COVID-19 or low-risk patients who undergo endoscopy. Since most GI endoscopy centers may not be equipped with negative-pressure rooms, including our center, we moved the endoscopy cart and procedural bed to the window as close as possible for optimal ventilation. For environmental disinfection, we normally wipe or spray the surface of all mental or solid materials (such as tables, chairs, door handles, elevator buttons et al.) with disinfectant containing 1,000 mg/L chlorine or 500 mg/L chlorine dioxide at least for 30 minutes, twice a day. Twice a day, UVGI is also frequently applied for 1 hour every time.
CONCLUSIONS
Since April 6, 2020, our endoscopy center has restarted all routine endoscopy services and executed a strict infection control protocol. The goal is to maintain and achieve no infection among HCP while providing essential services to our patients. In practice, full PPE brings inconvenience into daily endoscopic operations and requires HCP to maintain a good mental and physical condition. To date, this pandemic has imposed major global challenges to the public health system, PPE may become scarce in some areas. Our experience demonstrates that strict prescreening, procedural triage, and endoscopy center modifications may be as important as PPE in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in endoscopy center during the post endemic period, as we are currently facing in Wuhan.
In the past 60 postlock down working days, the number of endoscopic cases in our center has increased gradually. So far, none of HCP from our endoscopy center has been reported infected with SARS-CoV-2. Been the epicenter of this outbreak in China, we need practice cautions and institute proper infection controls for potential a second wave outbreak. Here we provide our experience according to China's medical condition and recommend all endoscopy centers currently in endemic areas to adjust their own infection control management strategy and provide a safe and effective endoscopy working environment, and to prepare a smooth transition into postendemic period. Of note, due to the limitations of our knowledge on the COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, our recommendations must be considered as evolving because they could change in a short time.
Acknowledgments
We thank Prof. Shou-jiang Tang from the Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA for editing and revising the manuscript. We thank Olympus (Beijing) sales service Co., Ltd Shanghai Branch for providing the 3-D diagram in present paper. We specially thank all frontline endoscopy staff who fought and still fighting against COVID-19 in Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
Organization WH. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected. 2020. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331446. Accessed August 31, 2020.
Special expert group for control of the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia of the Chinese preventive medicine A. [An update on the epidemiological characteristics of novel coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19].
Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi.2020; 41: 139-144
Rapid asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 during the incubation period demonstrating strong infectivity in a cluster of youngsters aged 16-23 years outside Wuhan and characteristics of young patients with COVID-19: a prospective contact-tracing study.
Disinfectant concentrations and contact times for EPA's list of products effective against novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
Health Devices.2020; (Available at:https://www.ecri.org/components/HDJournal/Pages/Disinfectant-Concentrations-for-EPA-list-N-COVID-19.aspx?tab=2. Accessed August 31, 2020)
Authors’ contribution: Study concept and design: Mei Liu, Dean Tian, Li Cao. Acquisition of data: Li Cao, Qiaozhen Guo, Yao Chen, Nianjun Chen; Drafting of the manuscript: Li Cao; Revision of the manuscript: Mei Liu; Study supervision: Dean Tian.
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