The Coronavirus pandemic has affected all aspects of daily life, and the ease of which it spreads poses a great risk not only in daily life, but especially those in hospitals. Because of this high risk ideally you should hold off your surgery until the situation is under better control. But unfortunately, that is not always possible and surgery may be unavoidable. This latest blog series talks about what to expect in your surgical experience and some things that you should consider during these times.
In Part 2 we talk about what to expect during the peri-operative experience.
*Disclaimer: Your individual hospital, state, city or county may have individual guidelines regarding which surgeries can proceed. Please check with your surgeon or hospital regarding these policies and whether surgery is safe at this time.
Many hospitals have updated their policies in order minimize the spread of coronavirus, and many policies are continually updated as the landscape changes. For the same reasons some hospitals have postponed minor surgeries or temporarily halted all elective surgeries.
If you have to get surgery, how has the surgical experience changed? And what should you expect prior to surgery? Here are some things to expect:
1. Pre-op COVID-19 Testing
In addition to your usual pre-operative screening such as: a physical check-up, imaging, and blood work, expect to have a COVID-19 swab or blood test at some point prior to your operative date. If you test positive, your date may be postponed by a few weeks and you may be tested again prior to the new date.
2. Your surgery may still be postponed
Despite how healthy or ready you may be, your surgery can still be delayed or postponed because of logistical reasons. As hospitals have changed their protocols for surgery and almost in all cases, staff, surgical equipment, patient bed and operation theaters are disinfected with extra care to prepare them for the next surgery. Because of this, hospitals may need to reschedule cases. An emergency surgery may also need to be bumped ahead pushing the other cases, or the overall situation may be exacerbated enough that all elective cases need to be rescheduled.
3. Hospitals can be a hotspot for the spread of infection
Despite all the care that goes into ensuring that patients and staff remain safe, the hospital remains a place of increased risk of infection. Even under normal circumstances hospital acquired infections do occur, and at some hospitals COVID patients may share the same building as non-COVID patients.
4. Limited or no visitor policies
It might be a difficult time for the relatives and loved ones of the patients because some hospitals have put restrictions on visitors in order to avoid overcrowding. Many hospitals are limiting patients to one visitor at a time as well as stricter visiting hours. Plan to have visitor’s alternate visits and ask that they not visit if they feel symptomatic. Remember these policies are for your safety as well.
5. Additional screening measures for staff, patients and visitors
To keep everyone safe not only are patients screened but visitors and staff as well. At entrances of hospitals expect to report if you have had any symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or traveled to any high-risk areas in the past two weeks. A temperature will likely be taken as well.
If you do have any of these symptoms, report them to your surgeon’s office or to your hospital liaison as soon as possible. Although your surgery may need to be delayed it is better to be safe and to help keep others safe.
6. Expect to be discharged earlier
Even under normal circumstances, the longer a patient stays at a hospital the higher the risk of infection. Your goal should be to be discharged as soon as safely possible, expect alternative care options from your social worker to help facilitate earlier discharge. Options may include increased home health aide time, or in-home PT/OT. Also, you may be a candidate for same day surgery, where you get your surgery in the morning, and if deemed stable can be discharged home that same day.
7. What happens if I get COVID at the hospital?
In the worst case scenario, you contract COVID-19 while at the hospital, your stay may be extended until your medical situation is optimized. Once you are stable, plan to quarantine at home for 2-weeks after discharge. If you have high risk individuals at home such as elderly parents or small children, your social worker will help you decide on an alternate discharge plan until it is safe to be discharged home. Options may include being discharged to relatives or to a rehab facility until 2-weeks is up.
Conclusion
Undergoing surgery is already a big decision and COVID-19 will be around for a while. If surgery is unavoidable, being prepared will help you have a successful surgery and recovery.
Check out our Part 3 in this series “How To Tell Your Hospital Is Protecting You" to see what measures your hospitals should have to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Right Device is here to ensure your operative game plan is ready prior to surgery. Sign up today to access our surgery database! Join our Patient Partner Program as well as speak with someone who has had the exact same surgery or with an Orthopedic/Spine Nurse Practitioner or Medical Device Specialist today!
