Dr. Pradip Warghane summarises precautions and tips for the frontline warriors performing echocardiographic services for COVID-19 patients. He also provides the key recommendations of policies/procedure for COVID-19 and algorithm for indication and level of protection needed.

For our comprehensive coverage and latest updates on COVID-19 click here.

The 2019 novel coronavirus has been declared a pandemic. Healthcare workers are at higher risk, particularly due to close contact involved with patients, one of such situations being while performing echocardiographic studies. Echocardiographic services will be required in the case of some patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Hence echo providers will be exposed to virus as well.

Sonographers, nurses, advance practice providers and physicians have a duty to care for patients and are at the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. While dedication to patient care is essential, we also have to care for ourselves and our loved ones. This means reducing our own risk while practicing judicious use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Review of indications

Echocardiograms (TTEs, stress echoes and TEEs) should only be performed if they are expected to provide clinical benefit. Echocardiogram orders are not yet subject to decision support tools as are cardiac MRI and cardiac CT, but the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak highlights the need to avoid performing these exams, at least not while the COVID status of the patient is unclear.