Revised Guidance on Essential Surgery Issued

On Nov. 23, the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses and American Hospital Association released revised guidance on how health facilities and workers can better serve the needs of patients presenting for essential surgery during the pandemic. The considerations include:

• Pursuing regional alliances to ensure local capacity;
• Establishing an in-hospital prioritization policy committee; and
• Addressing health care workers’ well-being, so they do not burn out.

“Now in their ninth month of stretching to treat growing numbers of COVID-19 patients, health care organizations, physicians and nurses must be able to meet the escalating demands for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and those in need of essential surgical services,” the groups said in a joint statement.

Click here to read the “Roadmap for Maintaining Essential Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic.”