Patients' risk stratification and infection control protocol of nuclear medicine imaging examination during Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic period

ABSTRACT

Due to the high infection and occult onset of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the procedure and management of nuclear medicine imaging examination during COVID-19 epidemic period should be arranged according to the infection risk of the patients to improve the prevention and control management. According to the clinical manifestations and epidemiological history of the patients, the infection risk was stratified, and the corresponding prevention and control suggestions were put forward according to the characteristics of nuclear medical imaging. It is crucial to distinguish patients in the incubation period and the susceptible virus carriers before the examination. The patients should be divided into regular group, potential risk group, high risk group and suspected group, and then examinations should be given to patients with infection risk from low to high, during which the medical workers should adopt corresponding personal protection, with the environment and equipment properly disinfected afterward. The corresponding arrangement and prevention and control management based on the infection risk of patients can help to avoid cross infection of patients, ensure the safety of medical workers and meet the clinical needs.