For ensuring safety of patients and
medical care workers, APSF and ASA have modified the guidelines on
perioperative testing for coronavirus.
Taking into consideration the
evolution of coronavirus outbreak, the Anesthesia Patient Safety
Foundation (APSF) and the American Society of
Anesthesiologists (ASA) updated the joint statement on perioperative testing
for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A population
risk evaluation assessing the prevalence of coronavirus should be reviewed. In
case of regional or local community transmission of coronavirus:
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) non-test-based approach in mild-moderate cases of coronavirus disease:
(a) At least twenty-four hours since the resolution of fever
without using fever-alleviating medications and improved respiratory symptoms
(b) At least ten days since the appearance of first symptoms
(2) CDC non-test-based approach in severe cases
of coronavirus disease or in immunocompromised people:
(a) At least ten days and up to twenty days have passed
since the appearance of symptoms
(b) At least twenty-four hours since the resolution of fever
without using fever-alleviating medications and enhancement in the respiratory
symptoms
(c) Symptoms (such as breath shortness, cough) have improved
In areas with a high prevalence of coronavirus infection, all people undergoing an anesthetic, procedure, or operation with the potential to generate aerosols must continue to have preoperative testing for coronavirus (such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing), ideally ≤ 3 days before the procedure, regardless of the vaccination status.
For detection of coronavirus, a promising screening and
testing program is pivotal to ensure safety of medical care workers, patients,
and general public.
American Society of Anesthesiologists
ASA and APSF Statement on Perioperative Testing for the COVID-19 Virus
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