Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an Aerosol-generating Procedure: Proof of Concept Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The disease COVID-19 has been classified as pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) in March 2020. This poses a risk to healthcare workers. Whether esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) has brought controversy. Multiple international guidelines consider EGD as AGP based on expert consensus. No scientific data has been published regarding this. With a commercially available particle counter, we can differentiate the particle counts of different sizes in different areas of the endoscopy room. An increase from baseline particles of < 5um during or after the procedure would suggest that the procedure is an AGP. The baseline particle counts before and during the procedure are also recorded. The details of the procedure including procedure time and the use of sedation are also documented.

Detailed Description
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The disease COVID-19 has been classified as pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) in March 2020. This poses a risk to healthcare workers. Whether esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) has brought controversy. Multiple international guidelines consider EGD as AGP based on expert consensus. No scientific data has been published regarding this. Currently, the term droplet is often taken to refer to droplets >5 microns (μm) in diameter that fall rapidly to the ground under gravity, and therefore are transmitted only over a limited distance (e.g. ≤1 m). In contrast, the term droplet nuclei refers to droplets ≤5 μm in diameter that can remain suspended in air for significant periods of time, allowing them to be transmitted over distances >1 metre. With a commercially available particle counter, we can differentiate the particle counts of different sizes in different areas of the endoscopy room. An increase from baseline particles of < 5um during or after the procedure would suggest that the procedure is an AGP. With the use of a commercial available particle counter, the number of particles of size (0.3um, 0.5um, 0.7um, 1um, 5um and 1um) are recorded. The baseline particle counts before and during the procedure are also recorded. The details of the procedure including procedure time and the use of sedation are also documented.

Official Title
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Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an Aerosol-generating Procedure: Proof of Concept Study

Conditions
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Aerosol-generating Procedure, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: No intervention, observational study


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All patients undergoing EGD in the endoscopy unit of Prince of wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong Exclusion Criteria: EGD cannot be completed due to patient's condition Patients who are unstable and require extra medical attention Patients who refuse Patients who are not fit for consent
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: No intervention, observational study|no intervention|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The increase in particle counts of particle size (0.3um, 0.5um, 0.7um, 1um, 5um, 10um) during the procedure |  | during the procedure | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Procedure time |  | during the procedure | 
| Use of sedation |  | during the procedure | 
| Use of continuous suction |  | during the procedure |