Key Clinical Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I treat a patient who presents with a positive FIT or Cologuard® who is asymptomatic?
A. In most cases, a colonoscopy should be considered non-urgent and can be delayed by at least 4-6 weeks and reassessed.
Q. If a patient had an upper GI bleed (PUD, non-variceal), has been put on a PPI and is due for follow-up surveillance, should this patient have an EGD?
A. A follow-up EGD to assess large gastric ulcer healing, etc. should be able to be delayed 4-8 weeks absent any other alarm symptoms.
Q. Should all emergent EGD patients be intubated?
A. Absent other reasons that present a threat to the airway, intubation is not indicated for all EGDs. Proper use of PPE, including N95 masks is paramount.
Q. Does a septic patient with an unknown and not obvious respiratory cause undergoing EUS or ERCP require use of an N95 mask?
A. All EGDs require proper PPE, including use of N95 masks.
Q. Should procedures be performed on patients with intermediate level cases such as Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) or mild dysphagia?
A. Decisions regarding cases such as these will need to be made on a case by case basis, taking into account resource availability, level of community infectivity and risk to the patient.