Bronchoscopy Procedures Implemented During the Pandemic Period in a University Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to review the bronchoscopy procedures conducted at our hospital during the pandemic, with a focus on the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission associated with these interventions.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This comprehensive study included all patients who underwent bronchoscopy in the Department of Pulmonology at Akdeniz University from March 15 to December 31, 2020. A retrospective review of medical records covered demographic information, procedure indications, urgency, procedure type, diagnostic results, and the patient's COVID-19 history. Data collection also recorded the number of personnel involved in bronchoscopy during the pandemic, along with their COVID-19 history.

RESULTS

A total of 250 bronchoscopy procedures were performed during the study period. The majority of patients were male (74.8%), with a mean age of 58 ± 13.5 years. The most common indication for bronchoscopy was lung cancer (39.2%), followed by other causes like interstitial lung diseases and sarcoidosis. No patients with a positive pre-procedural COVID-19 PCR test were included in the procedure. All patients who underwent the procedure had a negative PCR test result. No post-procedural COVID-19 cases were observed among healthcare workers or patients following the procedures. All procedures were conducted with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and SARSCoV-2 RT-PCR testing was performed on 76.8% of patients before the procedure. No complications, other than minor hemorrhages, were reported.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopy performed with appropriate PPE, in a negative pressure room, and with pre-procedural SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing, is a safe and effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety protocols implemented in this study successfully minimized the risk of COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers and patients.