ISUOG Safety Committee Position Statement on use of personal protective equipment and hazard mitigation in relation to SARS‐CoV‐2 for practitioners undertaking obstetric and gynecological ultrasound

ISUOG Interim Guidance on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) during pregnancy and puerperium: information for healthcare professionals – an update

“…When it is not possible to set up negative‐pressure ventilation for operating rooms, it is advisable to discuss with the hospital engineer whether it is appropriate to switch off their positive‐pressure ventilation. All attending medical staff should don PPE (fit‐tested N95, FFP2 or equivalent‐standard respirator, eye protection (goggles and/or face shield), disposable fluid‐resistant and impermeable protective gown and double gloves) when providing care for confirmed cases of COVID‐19 33,35,48 .…”

“…In severe COVID‐19 cases, the fetal scan can be performed once the patient is stabilized. All sonographers/sonologists should don appropriate PPE when undertaking the ultrasound scan 35 . Adequate cleaning of ultrasound equipment and transducers should be performed before further use 45 .…”

ISUOG Safety Committee Position Statement on safe performance of obstetric and gynecological scans and equipment cleaning in context of COVID‐19

“…All attending medical staff should don PPE (respirator, such as N95 or FFP3, goggles, face protective shield, surgical gown and gloves) prior to entering the examination room. Detailed guidance on the use of PPE in the setting of ultrasound examinations is provided elsewhere. A bedside scan with the patient in situ is strongly recommended. If feasible, it is recommended to have one (or more) dedicated ultrasound machine(s) for patients with suspected/probable/confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. If the patient must be scanned in the clinic, this should be done at the end of the clinic list, as the room and equipment will subsequently require a deep clean. It is imperative to perform hand hygiene once the gloves have been removed. …”

ISUOG Consensus Statement on rationalization of early‐pregnancy care and provision of ultrasonography in context of SARS‐CoV‐2

“…Pregnant patients and their partners (if present) should be advised to use it immediately upon arrival, at frequent intervals during their stay in the department and prior to the ultrasound scan. If hand sanitizer is not available due to shortage, women should be advised to wash their hands with soap for a minimum of 20 s prior to the scan. Facemasks must be made available and used according to previously published guidance. Specifically, patients with symptoms or judged to have suspected or probable COVID‐19 should wear a surgical mask.…”