Transthoracic and Transesophageal ECHO (TTE and TEE) in
COVID-19 patients - safety constraints for health care personnel
It is prudent to consider the risks of exposure of healthcare personnel
while performing TTE and TEE in patients with COVID-19. Despite studies
demonstrating that health care workers have a significantly higher risk
of acquiring COVID-19 due to increased workplace exposure to patients
[13], the data regarding the incidence of COVID-19 among ECHO
sonographers is scarce.
In a recent cross-sectional study that surveyed sonographers in major
academic centers in New York (NY,USA), it was found that there was an
infrequent use of plastic ECHO machine covers (9%), barriers between
the patient and sonographer (11%) and probe covers (30%) during the
procedure. In addition, about a quarter of respondents reported a lack
of training in disinfection practices of ultrasound equipment[14].
Such findings highlight the need for more stringent adherence to the ASE
and American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine’s guidelines for
protection of patients and ECHO providers to safeguard this vulnerable
population[15].