[Anaesthesia during COVID-19 epidemic]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Care

Context:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the complexity of surgical pathways.
• Anesthetic management for patients with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) requires substantial modifications and is an evolving area.
• There has been a notable shift towards remote anesthetic consultations due to difficulties in organizing in-person assessments.

Purpose:

• To outline modifications in anesthetic management for SARS-CoV-2 positive surgical patients.
• To highlight the importance of preoperative diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 in specific surgical patient groups.
• To describe adapted clinical pathways for operating and recovery rooms for these patients.

Summary:

• Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing is recommended for patients with symptoms, recent contact with COVID-19 cases, or those undergoing major surgery.
• Positive PCR results may lead to surgery postponement or necessitate a specialized clinical pathway.
• This pathway includes adapted anesthetic plans and specific protocols for operating and recovery rooms.

Impact:

• Facilitates safer surgical care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Provides a framework for managing anesthetic complexities in SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals.
• Supports the adaptation of healthcare systems to infectious disease outbreaks impacting surgical services.