COVID-19 Pandemic: Consensus guidelines for preferred practices in an aesthetic clinic

Area of Science:

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates sustained, stringent infection control measures in healthcare settings.
• Aesthetic clinics, operating on a one-to-one basis, require specific guidelines for managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks.
• International experts convened to establish consensus-based infection control recommendations for aesthetic practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop comprehensive consensus guidelines for infection control in aesthetic clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To provide a framework for protecting both clinic staff and patients from SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
• To categorize aesthetic procedures based on transmission risk.

Main Methods:

• An online meeting of international aesthetic medicine experts with clinical administration experience was conducted.
• Consensus was reached on preferred practices for patient scheduling, pre-procedure evaluation, and triaging.
• Procedures were risk-stratified into low, moderate, and high categories based on SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential.

Main Results:

• Guidelines were established for "preferred practices" in aesthetic clinic operations.
• Patient scheduling, evaluation, and triaging protocols were detailed to minimize infection risk.
• Safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations were outlined, considering procedure-specific risks.

Conclusions:

• The developed guidelines offer essential infection control measures for aesthetic practices to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
• Adherence to local regulatory guidelines regarding safety measures and PPE is crucial and complementary.
• These consensus recommendations aim to ensure a safer environment for aesthetic treatments amidst the ongoing pandemic.