Testing the Asymptomatic Pre-Surgical Population for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

IN RESPONSE to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare facilities deferred all but emergency surgeries for ≥12 weeks to minimize/reduce risk to patients and healthcare workers.1-6 However, by April 2020, increased mortality for delaying necessary cardiac and thoracic procedures prompted multidisciplinary teams to determine how to restart surgical cases safely, balancing the urgent needs of patients, th e reported increased morbidity and mortality of COVID-19–positive patients undergoing surgical procedures,2,3,7,8 and the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers.

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - September 18, 2020 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: April M. Bobenchik, Andrew D. Maslow, Aimee B. Angus, John Murphy, Jonathan D. Kurtis, Kimberle C. Chapin Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research