Early experience with universal preprocedural testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a relatively low-prevalence area

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 Mar;42(3):341-343. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.398. Epub 2020 Aug 3.

Abstract

We implemented universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing of patients undergoing surgical procedures as a means to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE). The rate of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was <0.5%, which suggests that early local public health interventions were successful. Although our protocol was resource intensive, it prevented exposures to healthcare team members.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 Testing / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Personal Protective Equipment / supply & distribution
  • Preoperative Care / methods*
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data*