Preprocedure COVID-19 Testing in Early Phase of Pandemic

Authors

Renuka Jain, Aurora Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke’s Medical CentersFollow
Bradley Kruger, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Robert Citronberg, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Stacie Kroboth, Advocate Aurora Research InstituteFollow
Ana Cristina Perez Moreno, Advocate Aurora Research InstituteFollow
Bijoy K. Khandheria, Aurora Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St. Luke's Medical CentersFollow

Publication Date

4-19-2021

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 testing, COVID-19, procedure, surgery, hospitalization, patient safety, health care delivery, clinical management

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide shutdown of elective medical procedures. Upon resumption of services, preprocedure nasopharyngeal swab testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was introduced for all patients requiring surgical or other aerosol-generating procedures. We investigated preprocedure COVID-19 testing in one of the largest U.S. health systems. Patients included in this retrospective, observational study were asymptomatic and scheduled for a procedure or surgery. All patients underwent a nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-CoV-2 performed 24–72 hours prior to a planned procedure. Clinical demographics, type of procedure, test results, and subsequent procedure status were evaluated. Of 38,608 total patients, there were 277 COVID-19–positive patients (positivity rate: 0.72%). Of those 277, 244 (88%) had procedural delays or cancellations. Of the COVID-19–negative patients, 50 (0.13%) required later hospitalization for COVID-19. Median time from preprocedure negative test to admission was 46.3 ± 27.2 days. In the largest series published on preprocedure COVID-19 testing in the early phase of the pandemic, preprocedure COVID-19 positivity was low. Preprocedure COVID-19 testing had a significant impact on clinical management. Rate of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization in the months following the procedure was negligible, suggesting health system policies adequately protected patient safety.

Recommended Citation

Jain R, Kruger B, Citronberg R, Kroboth S, Perez Moreno AC, Khandheria BK. Preprocedure COVID-19 testing in early phase of pandemic. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2021;8:151-3. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1841