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. 2020 Aug;52(8):808-815.
doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2020.05.017. Epub 2020 May 16.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gastroenterology Divisions in Italy: A national survey

M Maida  1 , S Sferrazza  2 , E Savarino  3 , L Ricciardiello  4 , A Repici  5 , F Morisco  6 , M Furnari  7 , L Fuccio  4 , G C Morreale  8 , A Vitello  8 , P Burra  9 , S Marchi  10 , B Annibale  11 , A Benedetti  12 , D Alvaro  13 , G Ianiro  14 ; Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE)
Affiliations

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gastroenterology Divisions in Italy: A national survey

M Maida et al. Dig Liver Dis. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Background: In Italy, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the entire healthcare system and required a huge re-organization of many Divisions, including those of Gastroenterology.

Aims: to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Gastroenterology Divisions across Italy.

Methods: All members of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE) were invited to answer a web-based survey.

Results: Data of 121 hospitals from all 20 Italian regions were analyzed. Overall, 10.7% Gastroenterology Divisions have been converted to Covid Units. Outpatients consultations, endoscopic and ultrasound procedures were limited to urgencies and oncology indications in 85.1%, 96.2% and 72.2% of Units, respectively, and 46.7% of them suspended the screening for colorectal cancer. Moreover, 72.2% of the staff received a training for use of personal protective equipment, although 45.5% did not have sufficient devices for adequate replacement. Overall, 132 healthcare workers in 41 Gastroenterology Divisions were found to be infected.

Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate, at a country level, the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on Gastroenterology Divisions. Substantial changes of practice and reduction of procedures have been recorded in the entire country. The long-term impact of such modifications is difficult to estimate but potentially very risky for many digestive diseases.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gastroenterology; Impact; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; Survey.

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Figures

Figure 1
Fig. 1
Map of participant regions and cities.
Figure 2
Fig. 2
Reduction of the ordinary volume of procedures performed in Gastroenterology Divisions among Italian regions.
Figure 3
Fig. 3
Main changes occurred in the Italian Gastroenterology Divisions following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 4
Fig. 4
Level of stress perceived by the physicians (a) and the physicians’ families (b) since the COVID-19 outbreak.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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