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 patient's 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 longsleeve plastic gown to deal with the shortage of PPE.