Tag: Disaster Planning

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…

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By: OR Manager
April 23, 2020
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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…

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By: Jo Quetsch, MA, RN
April 23, 2020
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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…

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By: OR Manager
April 23, 2020
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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 8” role, Ref 422R). A chemical indicator and biological…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 22, 2020
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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…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 22, 2020
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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…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 20, 2020
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CDC: Transmission of COVID-19 to HCW from a hospitalized patient in Solano County, California

Editor's Note In this study, unprotected, prolonged patient contact and certain exposures, including aerosol-generating procedures, were linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCW) exposed to a hospitalized patient with unrecognized COVID-19 in Solano County, California. Of 121 HCW exposed to a patient with unrecognized COVID-19, 43 became symptomatic and…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 20, 2020
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CMS issues recommendations on reopening hospitals in areas with low COVID-19 incidence

Editor's Note: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 19 issued recommendations on how hospitals and healthcare systems can protect their staff and patients as they reopen for nonemergent care. The new recommendations update earlier guidance on limiting nonessential surgical and medical procedures and are specifically targeted…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 20, 2020
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COVID-19 awareness, attitudes, behaviors among US adults

Editor's Note Many adults with comorbid conditions lacked critical knowledge about COVID-19, and, despite concern, they did not change their routines or plans, this study finds. In this cross-sectional survey of 630 adults aged 23 to 88 years, and living with one or more chronic conditions: 24.6% were “very worried”…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 16, 2020
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CDC: Characteristics of healthcare workers with COVID-10

Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 14 released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the characteristics of healthcare workers (HCW) with COVID-19 in the US. From February 12 to April 9, 2020, there were 9,282 cases of COVID-19 reported among HCWs. The median…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 16, 2020
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