Positive or Negative? Implementation Processes and Pitfalls of Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 Testing at a Single Academic Institution

Julie R McSwain; Kathryn H Bridges; Sylvia H Wilson; Timothy L Heinke; Amanda T Redding; Carlee A Clark

doi:10.1016/j.pcorm.2020.100132

Positive or Negative? Implementation Processes and Pitfalls of Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 Testing at a Single Academic Institution

Perioper Care Oper Room Manag. 2020 Dec:21:100132. doi: 10.1016/j.pcorm.2020.100132. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Authors

Julie R McSwain¹, Kathryn H Bridges¹, Sylvia H Wilson², Timothy L Heinke¹, Amanda T Redding², Carlee A Clark¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 25 Courtenay Drive STE 4200 MSC 240, Charleston, SC 2925, USA.
² Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 167 Ashley Avenue, Suite 301, MSC 912, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

Abstract

Background: Preoperative screening and testing for SARS-CoV-2 are important aspects of reopening perioperative and procedural sites to elective cases after the initial wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, given that modern healthcare has never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude, rapid operationalization of mass testing presents unique challenges. We aim to highlight our experiences and challenges for preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Methods: We describe implementation of widespread screening tools and preoperative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in a single, academic medical center.

Results: As of August 2020, we have been able to achieve an over 90% success rate in preoperative SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing for both outpatient and inpatient procedures. However, there are certain challenges in obtaining high levels of compliance both on individual and institutional levels.

Conclusions: Instituting preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing and maintaining high levels of compliance is possible in the midst of a fluctuating pandemic.

Publication types

Review