The Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology (CAIR) and Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Guidelines for Interventional Radiology Procedures for Patients With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

• Published in: Canadian Association of Radiologists journal Vol. 71; no. 4; pp. 514 - 517
• Main Authors: Mujoomdar, Amol, Graham, Tara, Baerlocher, Mark Otto, Soulez, Gilles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-11-2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aerosols; Betacoronavirus; Canada; Contamination; Coronavirus Infections - diagnostic imaging; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Guidelines; Humans; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Patients; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnostic imaging; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Radiation; Radiologists; Radiology; Radiology, Interventional - methods; SARS-CoV-2; Surgeons; Tactics; Technologists; Viral diseases; Working conditions; Canada; COVID-19; guidelines; interventional radiology; personal protective equipment; aerosol generating procedures
• ISSN: 0846-5371; 1488-2361
• DOI: 10.1177/0846537120924310

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is creating significant challenges to the Canadian health system, including the practice of interventional radiology (IR). Interventional radiology will continue to play an important role in patient care, during this crisis. This document serves to guide interventional and general radiologists in safely performing IR procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, using the best evidence, guidelines and expert recommendations available. These strategies include reviewing procedural indications, development of tactics to minimize cross contamination prior to the intervention, appropriate usage of personal protection equipment according to the type of procedure (along with defining aerosol-generating procedures in IR), along with developing the appropriate work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. By adopting the policies described, hospitals will protect the interventional radiologists, medical radiation technologists, nurses, ancillary staff, along with patients who benefit from their care.