Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has modified the activities of endoscopy units worldwide. Herein, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, Italy. Methods: A questionnaire concerning anesthesiologist assistance provided from October 26 to December 6, 2020, in comparison with the same period in 2019, was sent to endoscopic units in Lombardy. Results: Approximately 54% (34/63) of the units responded. A reduction in the number of all endoscopies (-33.5%; 18792 in 2020 vs. 28264 in 2019) and anesthesiologist-assisted endoscopies (-15.3%; 2652 in 2020 vs. 3132 in 2019) was reported. A greater reduction in anesthesiologist assistance was observed in government community units (-29.5%) than in academic (-14%) and private community units (-4.6%). Among all units, 85% reported a reduction in anesthesiologist assistance; 65% observed a delay/ cancellation of procedures; 59%, a restricted patient selection; 17%, the need to transfer some patients to other hospitals; and 32%, a related worsening of procedure quality. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic compromised the anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, which worsened the procedure quality mainly in government community units. The COVID-19 “stress test” suggests a more balanced allocation of anesthesiologic resources in the future.

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Anesthesiologist Assistance for Endoscopic Procedures / Calcara, C.; Ciscato, C.; Amato, A.; Sinagra, E.; Alvisi, C.; Ardizzone, S.; Anderloni, A.; Gambitta, P.; Grassia, R.; Giannetti, A.; Broglia, F.; Arcidiacono, P. G.; Ghirardi, M.; Khalaf, K.; Chicco, F.; Gatti, M.; Togliani, T.; Parravicini, M.; Bargiggia, S.; Mutignani, M.; Fanti, L.; Ferraris, L.; Putignano, R.; Occhipinti, V.; Amato, L.; Rosato, S.; Armellini, E.; Zappa, I.; Boni, F.; Longhini, A.; Mezzi, G. S.; Missale, G.; Di Flumeri, G.; De Roberto, G.; De Grazia, F.; Snider, L.; Fontana, P.; Penagini, R.; Mangiavillano, B.. - In: CLINICAL ENDOSCOPY. - ISSN 2234-2400. - 55:1(2022), pp. 49-57. [10.5946/ce.2021.191]

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Anesthesiologist Assistance for Endoscopic Procedures

Amato A.;Arcidiacono P. G.;Gatti M.;Parravicini M.;
2022-01-01

Abstract

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has modified the activities of endoscopy units worldwide. Herein, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, Italy. Methods: A questionnaire concerning anesthesiologist assistance provided from October 26 to December 6, 2020, in comparison with the same period in 2019, was sent to endoscopic units in Lombardy. Results: Approximately 54% (34/63) of the units responded. A reduction in the number of all endoscopies (-33.5%; 18792 in 2020 vs. 28264 in 2019) and anesthesiologist-assisted endoscopies (-15.3%; 2652 in 2020 vs. 3132 in 2019) was reported. A greater reduction in anesthesiologist assistance was observed in government community units (-29.5%) than in academic (-14%) and private community units (-4.6%). Among all units, 85% reported a reduction in anesthesiologist assistance; 65% observed a delay/ cancellation of procedures; 59%, a restricted patient selection; 17%, the need to transfer some patients to other hospitals; and 32%, a related worsening of procedure quality. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic compromised the anesthesiologist assistance for endoscopic procedures in Lombardy, which worsened the procedure quality mainly in government community units. The COVID-19 “stress test” suggests a more balanced allocation of anesthesiologic resources in the future.
2022
Anesthesiologist assistance
COVID-19
Endoscopic quality
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11768/146927
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