Fig. 1: Admission of patients with IBD for endoscopy during COVID-19 pandemic.

Health-care professionals contact patient with IBD by phone to check for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and/or to check whether a patient has had contact with a test-confirmed case or suspected case of COVID-19 to identify patients at risk of having COVID-19. Depending on the response, the decision could be made to postpone the exam. A nasal swab prior to endoscopic examination could be an option, although fast-track SARS-CoV-2 tests are not yet validated and false-negative tests (up to 30%) can provide false reassurance and therefore a nasal swab is not currently recommended by the SFED nor European or American guidelines for endoscopy. Relatives and caregivers of patients are forbidden from entering the hospital. At the hospital entrance and/or at the endoscopy unit a checkpoint is available to assess body temperature and current and/or previous symptoms of COVID-19. A dedicated staff member provides all attendees with a mask and an alcoholic solution to clean hands. Upon completion of these checks, the patient can be admitted to the endoscopic room. IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; SFED, Société Française d’Endoscopie Digestive.