COVID‐19 pandemic: Practical considerations on the organization of an allergy clinic—An EAACI/ARIA Position Paper
Authors: Pfaar Oliver , Klimek Ludger , Jutel Marek , Akdis Cezmi A. , Bousquet Jean , Breiteneder Heimo , Chinthrajah Sharon , Diamant Zuzana , Eiwegger Thomas , Fokkens Wytske J. , Fritsch Hans‐Walter , Nadeau Kari C. , O’Hehir Robyn E. , O’Mahony Liam , Rief Winfried , Sampath Vanitha , Schedlowski Manfred , Torres María José , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia , Wang De Yun , Zhang Luo , Bonini Matteo , Brehler Randolf , Brough Helen Annaruth , Chivato Tomás , Del Giacco Stefano R. , Dramburg Stephanie , Gawlik Radoslaw , Gelincik Aslı , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber Karin , Hox Valerie , Knol Edward F. , Lauerma Antti , Matricardi Paolo M. , Mortz Charlotte G. , Ollert Markus , Palomares Oscar , Riggioni Carmen , Schwarze Jürgen , Skypala Isabel , Untersmayr Eva , Walusiak‐Skorupa Jolanta , Ansotegui Ignacio J. , Bachert Claus , Bedbrook Anna , Bosnic‐Anticevich Sinthia , Brussino Luisa , Canonica Giorgio Walter , Cardona Victoria , Carreiro‐Martins Pedro , Cruz Alvaro A. , Czarlewski Wienczyslawa , Fonseca João A. , Gotua Maia , Haahtela Tari , Ivancevich Juan Carlos , Kuna Piotr , Kvedariene Violeta , Larenas‐Linnemann Désirée Erlinda , Abdul Latiff Amir Hamzah , Mäkelä Mika , Morais‐Almeida Mário , Mullol Joaquim , Naclerio Robert , Ohta Ken , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Onorato Gabrielle L. , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Patella Vincenzo , Regateiro Frederico S. , Samoliński Bolesław , Suppli Ulrik Charlotte , Toppila‐Salmi Sanna , Valiulis Arunas , Ventura Maria‐Teresa , Yorgancioglu Arzu , Zuberbier Torsten , Agache Ioana 
Published: June 2020

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has evolved into a pandemic infectious disease transmitted by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). Allergists and other healthcare providers (HCPs) in the field of allergies and associated airway diseases are on the front line, taking care of patients potentially infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. Hence, strategies and practices to minimize risks of infection for both HCPs and treated patients have to be developed and followed by allergy clinics.

Method

The scientific information on COVID‐19 was analysed by a literature search in MEDLINE, PubMed, the National and International Guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Cochrane Library, and the internet.

Results

Based on the diagnostic and treatment standards developed by EAACI, on international information regarding COVID‐19, on guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, and on previous experience, a panel of experts including clinicians, psychologists, IT experts, and basic scientists along with EAACI and the “Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)” initiative have developed recommendations for the optimal management of allergy clinics during the current COVID‐19 pandemic. These recommendations are grouped into nine sections on different relevant aspects for the care of patients with allergies.

Conclusions

This international Position Paper provides recommendations on operational plans and procedures to maintain high standards in the daily clinical care of allergic patients while ensuring the necessary safety measures in the current COVID‐19 pandemic.