Safety in the use of ultrasound in rheumatology during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Spanish Society of Rheumatology positioning paper

Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed). 2021 May;17(5):284-289. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2020.10.010. Epub 2020 Dec 2.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Ultrasound is a widely implemented imaging modality in rheumatology practice that implies a great interaction between patient and professional. The COVID-19 pandemic requires a change in our clinical practice, through the adoption of new strategies that allow comprehensive care for our patients, guaranteeing the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals.

Objetive: Our objective was to develop practical recommendations, agreed among a panel of experts, on the use and safety of rheumatological ultrasound during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We performed a narrative review of the available literature. Based on the literature review, we produced preliminary recommendations that were subsequently agreed among a panel of experts using the Delphi methodology with a 1-5 Likert scale. Agreement for each recommendation was considered if 75% of the panel members scored the item ≥4 on the Likert scale.

Results: 5 overarching principles and 28 recommendations were issued and agreed among the panel. Group consensus was achieved in 100% of items.

Conclusions: The document provides useful information about preventive measures in the practice of ultrasound in rheumatology in times of a COVID-19 pandemic based on the experience and literature available to date.

La ecografía es una técnica de amplia implantación en reumatología que implica una gran interacción entre paciente y profesional. La pandemia COVID-19 hace necesario un cambio en nuestra práctica clínica, mediante estrategias que permitan la asistencia integral de nuestros pacientes, garantizando la seguridad tanto de los pacientes como de los profesionales sanitarios.

Objetivo: Desarrollar unas recomendaciones prácticas, consensuadas entre un panel de expertos, sobre el uso y seguridad de la ecografía reumatológica durante la pandemia COVID-19.

Métodos: Analizando la literatura disponible se realizaron unas recomendaciones preliminares, posteriormente consensuadas con un panel de expertos mediante el método Delphi con una escala Likert 1–5.

Resultados: Se elaboraron y consensuaron por el panel 5 principios fundamentales y 28 recomendaciones. El consenso del grupo se logró en el 100% de ítems (acuerdo para cada recomendación ≥4 en escala de Likert del 75% de componentes del panel).

Conclusiones: El documento proporciona información de utilidad acerca de medidas preventivas en la práctica de ecografía en reumatología en tiempos de pandemia COVID-19 de acuerdo a la experiencia y literatura disponible hasta el momento.

Keywords: ECOSER; Ecografía; Grupo ECOSER; Posicionamiento; Positioning; Safety COVID-19; Seguridad COVID-19; Sociedad Española de Reumatología –SER–; Spanish Society of Rheumatology –SER–.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • Disinfection / methods
  • Disinfection / standards
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Infection Control / standards*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / prevention & control
  • Microscopic Angioscopy / instrumentation
  • Microscopic Angioscopy / methods
  • Oils
  • Pandemics*
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Rheumatology / methods*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Ultrasonography* / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography* / methods

Substances

  • Gels
  • Oils