Gone with the wind! Changes in the practice of bronchoscopy post pandemic: A perspective.

Abstract

From the first bronchoscopy in 1897, interventional pulmonologists (IP) have developed innovative technologies to improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes, revolutionizing the field of thoracic medicine.[2] Techniques and procedural preparation have also evolved to improve safety and minimize the risk of disease transmission. While the practice of interventional pulmonology continues to advance, the current COVID‐19 pandemic demands a conscientious, differential approach to any invasive or aerosol‐generating procedure. Studies have demonstrated that currently 6% of the total health‐care workforce has been infected by COVID‐19.[3] Emerging evidence suggests an airborne mode of transmission for COVID‐19, making the performance of bronchoscopy a high‐risk procedure.[4] In addition, the transmission of multidrug‐resistant microorganisms via bronchoscopy has necessitated the re‐defining of instrument decontamination, strict infection control policies, and prudent use of this revolutionary tool.[5] These critical challenges evoke core questions regarding the future of interventional pulmonology and the long‐lasting impact the pandemic may have on the practice of bronchoscopy.