Strong culture sustains healthcare staff in 'good and bad' times
Traditional patient care challenges have risen to a whole new level in the wake of COVID-19. Healthcare providers have assumed new roles and performed tasks they never imagined doing. With conditions and expectations changing daily if not hourly, one thing that hasnโt changed is the need to provide safe patient…
Using algorithms to contain surgical smoke and aerosolized particulates
The hazards of surgical smoke are well documented. As far back as 2004, AORN began publishing guidelines to reduce exposure to surgical smoke and aerosolized particles during operative and invasive procedures. These guidelines can also be adopted to help protect COVID-19 patients and frontline healthcare staff who are exposed to…
Triaging OR capacity amid COVID-19: Lessons from the field
Health systems nationwide are examining policies and procedures related to their resources, staffing, and scheduling to prepare for anticipated patient surges due to COVID-19. In late March, I talked with perioperative physicians and administrators from two health systems with rapid increases in COVID-positive cases, which have prompted significant changes in…
Developing a COVID-19 Recovery Plan for surgical services
When the coronavirus pandemic begins to subside, hospital leaders will be sorting out the repercussions and trying to resume normal operations. The main impact on ORs has been the widespread cancellation of non-essential procedures. Case cancellations in March and April have reduced elective procedure volumes as much as 90%. Most…
IUSS sterilizes N95 masks without damaging masks
Editor's Note In this study from the Houston Methodist Research Institute, immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) using a Steris Amsco Evolution HC1500 PreVac Steam Sterilizer autoclave was performed on N95 masks. Masks were wrapped in paper-plastic sterilization peel pouches (Medical Action Industries 8โ role, Ref 422R). A chemical indicator and biological…
ACS, AORN, ASA, AHA develop roadmap for resuming elective surgery
Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on April 17 announced that the ACS, AORN, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and American Hospital Association (AHA) together developed a roadmap to guide readiness, prioritization, and scheduling for safely resuming elective surgery. Highlights of the roadmap include: Implementing a policy for…
Thank you for registering for the May 6, 2020 Webinar
Thank you for registering for the Restoring Your Elective Surgery Post COVID-19 webinar. You should receive a confirmation email shortly with instructions on how to access the webinar. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at 1-888-707-5814 or [email protected].
[Free Webinar] Restoring Your Elective Surgery Caseload Post COVID-19
Restoring Your Elective Surgery Post COVID-19 Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 12:00 p.m. โ 1:00 p.m. ET Amid the coronavirus outbreak, most hospitals are cancelling or postponing elective surgeries. Addressing the large backlog to restore elective surgery caseload is a top post-pandemic priority of OR leaders. This will require careful…
Symptom screening of HCW with SARS-CoV-2 infection in King County, Washington
Editor's Note In a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive healthcare workers (HCW) residing in King County, Washington, this study found that symptom screening only for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat might have missed 17% of symptomatic HCW at the time of illness onset, and expanding criteria to include…
ACS releases new guidance to help healthcare facilities prepare for resuming surgery
Editor' Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on April 17 released a new document, โLocal Resumption of Elective Surgery Guidance,โ to help healthcare facilities prepare to resume elective surgery once COVID-19 has peaked in their area. The document includes four categories: COVID Awarenessโaddresses the communityโs COVID-19 numbers, including prevalence,…