The COVID-19 disease continues to cause a global pandemic. The University Hospital in Krakow has been designated as one of the COVID-19 hospitals. To prepare for the pandemic we needed to implement strategies that would protect the health care workers, reduce in-hospital transmission, and provide optimal care for the patients. In the operating department, these preparations involve the cooperation of multiple teams and can pose significant difficulties. Here, we describe measures taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These include, adjustments made in OR set-ups, modification of workflow and processes, and the introduction of adequate personal protective equipment. We believe that these containment measures are required in order to provide an adequate quality of care to COVID-19 patient and to minimise the risk of cross-infection to staff members and other patients.
Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus disease; emergency surgery; operating department; personal protective equipment; theatre staff.
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