Table 5 Obstacles Preventing Re-establishing Endoscopy to Pre-pandemic Levels (n = 203)

Limited supply of PPE

29% (n = 59)

Inadequate tariff payments to cover additional cost of providing enhanced PPE for endoscopist and assistants (for suspected or unknown COVID-19)

23% (n = 46)

Inadequate number of single use scopes

25% (n = 51)

Damaged reusable scopes

9% (n = 19)

Lack of video monitors for single-use scopes

27% (n = 54)

Reusable scopes not cleaned in time causing delay in service delivery

18% (n = 37)

Handling and cleaning safety issues for reusable scopes

14% (n = 29)

Lack of familiarity and training for single use scopes

9% (n = 18)

Limited access to reusable scope camera stack

30% (n = 61)

Not enough reusable scopes

13% (n = 27)

Local restrictions imposed on time interval between scopes and to allow for room cleaning and ventilation (due to potential AGP risk)

67% (n = 135)

Adherence to local guidelines for use of alternative radiological investigations instead of nasendoscopy (due to potential AGP risk)

11% (n = 23)

Other ENT

10% (n = 21)