Minimizing endoscopist facial exposure to droplets: Optimal patient-endoscopist distance and use of a barrier device.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aim

Minimizing endoscopist exposure to bodily fluids is important for reducing the risk of infection transmission. This study investigated the patient-endoscopist vertical distance necessary to minimize an endoscopist's facial exposure to a patient's visible droplets during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ability of a new device to prevent droplets from reaching the endoscopist's face.

Methods

A model was developed to simulate a patient experiencing a forceful cough during an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with a model endoscopist. Fluorescent dye was expelled from the model patient's mouth towards the model endoscopist during simulated coughs; dye adhesion to the model endoscopist's face was evaluated using ultraviolet light. The simulation was rep

SUBMITTER: Suzuki S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7461247 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature