Matching the level of
protection based on a
procedure's risk fac-
tors is critical during
the coronavirus out-
break. "No one wants
to see healthcare
workers become
infected, and main-
taining their personal
safety also maintains
faith in the healthcare
system," says Dr.
Forrester. "Patients who see healthcare providers exposed to infec-
tious diseases might hesitate to undergo surgery. That could be as
bad, if not worse, than the impact of the pandemic."
Protective gear is a limited resource, no matter how well it's
resourced. "It must be managed appropriately, especially with the
prospect of a second wave hitting in the late fall or winter," says Dr.
Forrester. "It doesn't make sense to overuse resources that could
soon be in short supply. By not unnecessarily straining supplies now,
you'll save them for when they're truly needed."
OSM
J U L Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 2 1
IN THE FLOW This simple-to-use algorithm will help your team right-size their
level of protection to the procedure's expected risk level.