Endoscopic mask innovation and protective measures changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic: experience from a Chinese hepato‐biliary‐pancreatic unit

Tian, Qing; Yan, Xiaodong; Shi, Rui; Wang, Guijie; Xu, Xiaomei; Wang, Hongyan; Wang, Qingqing; Yang, Long; Liu, Zirong; Wang, Lanying; Shrestha, Dhan Bahadur; Zhang, Yamin

Endoscopy is widely used as a clinical diagnosis and treatment method for certain hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. However, due to the distinctive epidemiological characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2 (the virus causing COVID‐19), healthcare providers are exposed to the patient’s respiratory and gastrointestinal fluids, rendering endoscopy a high risk for transmitting a nosocomial infection. This article introduces preventive measures for endoscopic treatment enacted in our medical center during COVID‐19, including the adjustment of indications, the application of endoscope protective equipment, the design and application of endoscopic masks and splash‐proof films, and novel recommendations for bedside endoscope pre‐sterilization.