CURRENT SITUATION IN THE ENDOSCOPY UNIT AT A REGIONAL CORE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

Abstract

We have been facing the COVID-19 pandemic that has imposed significant stress on hospitals and health care providers since the end of 2019, when the SARS-CoV-2 was identified in Wuhan, China. According to the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Endoscopy released in March 2020, we have taken measures such as postponing non-urgent endoscopies, preparing a vinyl sheet at the reception desk to protect both the patients and receptionists, and stratifying the patientʼs risk of being infected with COVID-19 before the procedure. In addition, we found that there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). In this paper, we introduce the current situation at our endoscopy unit and efforts including making an alternative long-sleeve plastic gown to deal with the shortage of PPE.