ERCP Room Setting: What Doctors Starting ERCP Need to Know

To date, there is no standardization of the endoscopi c retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) room setting regarding with the size, equipment or space arrangement. Therefore, the authors visited 11 tertiary hospitals that recently remodeled or newly designed the ERCP room to analyze and identify their advantages and disadvantages. The ERCP room should have enough space for equipments including fluoroscopy, endoscopy, electrosurgical unit, preparation table and for patient movement. The EUS room does not require an independent space unless it is a very large scale hospital, and the ERCP room can be shared. Considering the pros and cons of each equipment, adequate fluoroscopic device should be selected depending on the hospital circumstance. Expensive equipment for X-ray fluoroscopy system is not necessarily good, and it is necessary to install equipment suitable for each hospital situation by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of fluoroscopy. For prevention of ERCP-related radiation hazard, both endoscopist and assistants should wear radiation-blocking apron, thyroid protectors, and lead glasses. Furthermore, a shield that can block radiation between the endoscopist and the patient should be installed to protect high-energy scattered waves. One-way direction should be designed to prevent cross infection when moving the endoscopic equipment from the ERCP to the cleaning room. If possible, it is recommended to keep a cardiopulmonary resuscitation cart in the ERCP room.