Statement on Timing of Elective Ambulatory Surgery During COVID-19 Resurgence in the U.S.
February 23, 2021
The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) is concerned about the resurgence of COVID-19 cases throughout the country. Beginning in late fall 2020 viral spread and rates of infection dramatically increased. However, just very recently the numbers have started to mitigate, though rates of infection are almost twice the peaks that we saw in summer 2020. In addition, testing capabilities have escalated, and vaccination is being offered to healthcare workers and senior citizens. Read the full statement below.
Statement on COVID-19 Testing Before Ambulatory Anesthesia
May 1, 2020
Guidance on pre-operative COVID-19 testing and it’s application specifically to NORA and OBA, inclusive of procedures as well as surgeries, as of the date of issuance.
Recommendations for Ambulatory Elective Surgery During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 17, 2020
Guidance compiled using the most current information about COVID-19 available at the date of issuance regarding continuing or postponing elective surgeries.
COVID-SAFE ASC Checklist
April 20, 2020
As the number of patients with COVID-19 begins to level off, many states have eased restrictions for resuming elective surgeries. While the expectation of a COVID-FREE environment anywhere is likely not possible, a more realistic and achievable goal is to be COVID-SAFE.
SAMBA has compiled and is offering this COVID-SAFE Checklist to help ambulatory anesthesiologists create COVID-SAFE environments, helping to reassure the public and patients that you are committed to appropriate measures designed to protect their safety as they receive anesthesia care for their procedures and surgeries.
As your facility complies with all of the checklist items on an ongoing basis, it may display a certificate at the end of the Checklist document indicating it follows the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) COVID-SAFE Checklist measures.
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SAMBA’s ASC Membership is designed to provide surgical centers a cost-effective way to keep all medical staff and allied health providers that work in an ASC, Endoscopy Center or office-based setting up-to-date on the latest industry knowledge.
SAMBA offers ASC Memberships to encourage Medical Directors, and staff physicians to participate not only in educational activities related to Ambulatory Surgery, but also provides a platform for sharing information and educational tools among the industry’s most talented practitioners.
As we move forward – there still may be many questions or concerns about COVID-19 and what it means for everyone. The provided forum allows us to network and discuss COVID-19 and all it entails.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – CDC strategies for optimizing supply of N95 respirators; conventional capacity strategies as well as crisis alternate strategies; strategies to optimize the supply of PPE and equipment; links to optimizing strategies for eye protection, isolation gowns, facemasks, a PPE burn rate calculator and ventilators; the FAQs; and answers to questions that will be helpful to families of health care providers who have questions.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Coronavirus rumor control; and help distinguishing fact from fiction regarding the pandemic.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – FDA recommendations for mask and gown conservation.
- Office of Inspector General (OIG)
- USA.gov
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Professional Organizations
- ASA website
- Using Anesthesia Machines as ICU ventilators
- Pediatric Intensive Care Society
- Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF)
- Association of Anaesthetists
- American College of Emergency Physicians
- Children’s Hospital Association (CHA)
- AMA
- Infectious Disease Society of America
- Society for Critical Care Medicine
- European Society of Anaesthesiologists (ESA) COVID-19 resources page
- Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)
Resuming Elective Surgery After COVID-19
Resources for Physicians (Journals)
Information from ASCA
- COVID-19: Guidance for ASCs on Necessary Surgeries
- COVID-19: An Interview with ASCA CEO Bill Prentice
- Statement from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association regarding Elective Surgery and COVID-19
- ASC Locations, Specialties and Available ORs
- ASCA 2020 and COVID-19
- ASCA’s ASC COVID-19 response capacity tool
COVID-19 Prevention
Human Resources
CDC Webinars
Healthcare Field
- Respiratory Protection FAQ: Healthcare
- Coronavirus – guidance for anaesthesia and perioperative care providers
- ASA and APSF issue joint statement on non-urgent care during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment by Anesthesia Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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FAQ re: insurance coverage during COVID-19 by the Doctors Insurance Company
- Anesthesiology special series of COVID 19 articles
- ASA frequently asked questions about COVID 19
- COVID-19 Surgical Triage Decision Making
Other Physician Resources
News From Our International Partner
Fitness Resources
- Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu is a member of parliament in Uganda representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda’s Central Region. He is also a Ugandan musician and actor and is also known by his stage name Bobi Wine. He released this song about the Coronavirus.
- There are many websites and organizations that now provide free workouts. Just make sure that you don’t congregate with friends or neighbors. Remember also that you can walk or run outside, as long as you practice social distancing.