Coronavirus and interventional radiology department: Evidence-based measures to limit transmission – Indian scenario

As we face a countrywide lockdown in view of the international pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 and deal with never seen before circumstances all over the world including India, health-care personnel are fighting like soldiers and are often first to get affected in view of the direct exposure because of the limited availability of knowledge and personal protection equipments (PPEs). Radiology emerging superspecialty interventional radiology (IR) entails a greater risk of acquiring, transmitting infection due to the close patient contact and invasive patient care the service needs to offer. Due to the high density, limited working space we have, and working in air-conditioned setup that is needed for cath lab and ultrasonography machines, this makes it imperative to set specific guidelines to limit transmission and utilize resources in the best possible way. A multitiered, scientific approach suited to our environment needs to be devised and monitored at the administrative and departmental level, taking into account the IR team and patient contact-operating points. We present an overall systematic scientific review of the infection control measures that cover the different dynamics of utmost patient care and staff protocols without hampering the patient treatment for an interventional department setup. The IR and radiology department should be prepared and educated to continue the servicing emergency procedures and important elective procedures following the strict aseptic precautions, so health-care workers' and patients' safety is maintained. The team members should understand the disease dynamics, routes, and source of transmission and should take utmost precautions to prevent transmission to colleagues and patients by properly suing PPE.