M A Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 7
O
n April 17,
the Trump
administra-
tion issued
a three-step
plan for reopening the
American economy as parts
of the nation begin to
emerge from the coron-
avirus outbreak. The plan's
first phase green lighted
elective surgeries performed in outpatient facilities where COVID-19
cases are decreasing, truly welcome news for idle surgical teams.
Since the announcement, nearly half of U.S. states have been given
the go-ahead to resume elective surgeries. The staggered reopening of
outpatient facilities amid these uncertain times has left many surgical
administrators with more questions than answers.
To help guide your ramp-up to resuming surgeries, the Association
of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) teamed up with the
American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Society of
Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Hospital Association
(AHA) to create a roadmap that guides the readiness, prioritization
and scheduling of elective surgeries to ensure maximum patient safe-
ty (osmag.net/6vPaBF). Use the roadmap to answer these key ques-
tions before reopening your ORs:
• Are we ready to reopen? There should be a sustained reduction
Your Roadmap to Recovery
Guidelines are a tremendous asset, but your facility must forge
its own path forward with elective surgeries in the COVID-19 era.
Jared Bilski | Managing Editor
• AND WE'RE BACK As facilities begin reopening their doors for elective
procedures, staff will have to adjust to new PPE requirements that will
include widespread use of N95 masks.
Vangie
Dennis,
RN,
MSN,
CNOR,
CMLSO