in the rate of new COVID-19 cases in your community for at least 14
days, according to the roadmap. But even if your state's governor has
deemed it safe to resume elective cases, expect a lag between when
you decide to reopen and when your facility will be ready to start per-
forming surgery.
"It might take a full week to reset for surgery," says Julie Maiden,
the director at Surgical Eye Center in Greensboro, N.C. First, she
says, perform a deep terminal cleaning with EPA-approved cleaning
solutions. Then, make sure every staff member is aware of the physi-
cians' and anesthesiologists' guidelines for appropriate patient selec-
tion.
Ms. Maiden also recommends addressing the many logistical issues
involved in reopening ORs after a significant hiatus, including ensuring
every piece of equipment is in good working order, and checking expira-
tion dates on medication vials and supplies.
"Touch base with your vendors before reopening," says Ms. Maiden.
"because there may be special circumstances regarding certain pieces
of equipment due to the down time." For example, she cites the steril-
izers her facilities uses and how they will have to perform three test
cycles before the equipment is ready to go again.
• How and when will we test? The only way to ensure the safety of
patients and your staff is through rigorous COVID-19 screening and
testing protocols, according to Vangie Dennis, RN, MSN, CNOR,
CMLSO, executive director of perioperative services at WellStar
Atlanta Medical Center & Atlanta Medical South. Her home state of
Georgia has been a leader in reinstituting elective surgeries, her facili-
ty's testing protocols are already established and go well beyond stan-
dard temperature checks and questionnaire screenings.
"We require system-level COVID-19 testing for any patient coming in
for surgery," says Ms. Dennis. "Patients must complete testing within 96
3 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 2 0