COVID-19 Resources

ASCCP Interim Guidance for Timing and Treatment Procedures for Patients with Abnormal Cervical Screening Tests

May 26, 2020 - In light of the current unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and in settings where all non-essential medical office visits
and elective procedures have been suspended, ASCCP recommends the following:

1. Individuals with low-grade cervical cancer screening tests may have postponement of diagnostic evaluations up to 6-12 months.
   
   
2. Individuals with high-grade cervical cancer screening tests should have documented attempts to contact and diagnostic evaluation scheduled within 3 months.
   
   
3. Individuals with high-grade cervical disease without suspected invasive disease should have documented attempts to contact and procedures scheduled within 3 months.
   
   
4. Individuals with suspected invasive disease should have contact attempted within 2 weeks and evaluation within 2 of that contact (4 weeks from the initial report or referral).

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be considered for all patient visits. The decision as to type of PPE should be directed by current CDC recommendations, specific regional or hospital guidance and patient COVID-19 status. When performing procedures requiring electrocautery, smoke evacuators should be used to mitigate potential aerosol dispersal.

These recommendations are not to be considered definitive management guidelines and recognize that some individuals with abnormal  cervical cancer screening tests and histologic findings will require case-by-case review. These guidelines are subject to change due to the fluidity of the healthcare environment. Providers should continue use of tracking protocols to ensure that patients with abnormal results may be called in when the concerns for COVID diminish to the point that routine care for non-essential issues may be reinstated. Once the COVID-19 outbreak is contained, patients should again be managed as per the ASCCP Colposcopy Standards.

Disclaimer: These recommendations should never be a substitute for clinical judgment. Clinical judgment should always be used when  applying a recommendation to an individual patient since they may not apply to all patient-related situations.