March 2020: WEO recommendations on digestive endoscopy and the COVID-19 pandemic
March 1, 2020
The World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) recommends endoscopists adhere to local advisories and institutional guidelines for infection control. The following WEO recommendations are intended to provide guidance to endoscopists as they seek to optimize practice in their endoscopy centers as local conditions allow.
COVID-19 disease is due to the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. It is highly infectious and carries a case–fatality rate of 1%–3%. Patients most at risk for adverse outcomes are the elderly and those with serious chronic diseases and immunosuppression. It is spread through contact and by respiratory droplets and aerosols. While fever and respiratory symptoms are the most common presenting features, most patients will have anorexia with 1/3 or more having diarrhea. Endoscopists need to be vigilant and take precautions.
The World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) recommends endoscopists adhere to local advisories and institutional guidelines for infection control. The following WEO recommendations are intended to provide guidance to endoscopists as they seek to optimize practice in their endoscopy centers as local conditions allow.
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This document was last updated on April 9, 2020.