Outlining a Safe Return to Elective Endoscopy in a Pandemic

Best Practices
Endoscopists weigh in on best practices for a return to elective endoscopic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including options for new best practices for protecting patient and healthcare worker safety.

Advanced Practice Providers Seen Filling Projected Urologist Void

Best Practices
As the general population ages and the demand for urologists increases, advanced practice providers such as nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants are expected to fill in the void left by retiring urologists.

Here’s How One-Lung Ventilation for Thoracic Surgery Can Be Done More Efficiently

Best Practices
Intubation and airway management during lung-isolation procedures pose a series of challenges for even the most experienced medical team. Ambu’s double lumen tube can help, according to a new study.

Respiratory Care Week 2020: Lessons Learned and New Roles for RTs During COVID-19

Best Practices
Being on the front lines as essential healthcare professionals during the pandemic has highlighted the valuable role respiratory therapists bring to the healthcare system. As Tom Kallstrom details in this Q&A, the American Association for Respiratory Care is leading the way to increase their visibility.

CHEST Guidelines for Bronchoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic

Best Practices
'In such a kinetic milieu, these can be expected to evolve based on an expanding evidence base, the public health burden of disease, and the availability of trained personnel or medical infrastructure,' the authors of the guidelines write.

Consensus Group Recommends Single-Use Bronchoscopes for Percutaneous Tracheostomies During COVID-19 Pandemic

Best Practices
The consensus guidelines, compiled by 30 experts and published in The Lancet, cover patient selection, timing, performance, and optimal management after tracheostomy. The novel coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Bronchoscopy During COVID-19: Reviewing an International Expert Panel Practice Statement

Best Practices
Bronchoscopy remains an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in critically ill patients, but careful preparation and precautions are necessary considering the number of healthcare workers who've been sickened by the novel coronavirus. Dr. Angela Argento and Dr. Elizabeth Malsin discuss what they've learned performing bronchoscopies during the pandemic.

Infection Control and a 5-Tier System to Triage Bronchoscopy Procedures

Best Practices
The Cleveland Clinic established the system to prioritize the urgency of bronchoscopy procedures as the novel coronavirus raged. When elective bronchoscopies were resumed, protocols were established to reduce aerosolization and potential virus transmission risks.

Guidelines on Facial Protection During GI Endoscopy

Best Practices
Until recently, there was no evidence-based research underlying best practices for wearing face and eye shields during procedures. As a result, protection practices vary widely from one facility to the next.

Demand for Respiratory Therapists to Grow, Fueling Recruitment Strategies

Best Practices
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 19 percent increase in the number of respiratory therapists in the U.S. by 2029. The COVID-19 pandemic is helping spread awareness and attract new talent to the profession.