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 • 4 3
F
inally, thankfully, ORs have begun to reopen for elec-
tive procedures in communities where COVID-19
cases are on the decline. The coronavirus pandemic
that temporarily shuttered outpatient surgical facili-
ties continues to hit pockets of the country hard, but
healthcare leaders are beginning to look forward, quite literally, to
the gradual return to some semblance of normalcy. There are plen-
ty of unknowns moving forward, but one thing's for certain — sur-
gery will never be the same.
Advanced screenings
COVID-19 has changed the calculus of pre-op screenings. "We've
learned more about the disease," says David Shapiro, MD, an anesthe-
siologist with extensive ASC management experience who's based in
Tallahassee, Fla. "We were probably a bit naive in our ability to pro-
The Post-COVID Future of Outpatient Surgery
Surgical leaders discuss how patient
care will change in the months and years ahead.
• NEAR CERTAINTY Surgical leaders will face unprecedented challenges when cases can proceed.
Joe Paone | Senior Associate Editor