Open AccessReview of the Guidelines For Radiology Practice During COVID -19 Pandemic by Nepal Radiologists’ Association
Author(s) -
Anamika Jha,
Sundar Suwal,
D B Karki,
Ram Kumar Ghimire
Publication year - 2020
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2091-136X
pISSN - 2091-1378
DOI - 10.3126/njr.v10i1.29487
Subject(s) - medicine , context (archaeology) , preparedness , pandemic , radiological weapon , gold standard (test) , covid-19 , health care , modalities , medical physics , radiology , medical emergency , family medicine , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , political science , paleontology , social science , sociology , law , biology
Nepal is also affected by Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic which is likely to last for several months. The Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction is the current gold standard diagnostic test. Chest X-ray or Computed Tomography scan is considered inappropriate according to most society recommendations for screening though are emerging as frontline diagnostic modalities in conjunction with clinical history and laboratory parameters.Multiple guidelines have been released by prominent radiological societies worldwide to facilitate preparedness of radiology department in the war against COVID-19. Based on these, the Nepal Radiologists’ Association has proposed its guidelines, endorsed by the Nepal Medical Council, practical in our context, with the aim to limit exposure to the infection while ensuring best use of imaging, protection of health care personnel and other patients and maintenance of uninterrupted radiology department operations.This review article aims to summarize the highlights from various guidelines focusing on role of chest X-ray and Computed Tomography including the indications, specific findings, reporting format and important differentials and also addresses the safety issues.