[How to Resume Elective Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic?] / Como Retomar a Atividade Cirúrgica Eletiva em Ortopedia durante a Pandemia COVID-19?

This document was prepared by the College of Orthopedics of the Portuguese Medical Association with the aim of developing the guidelines on the resumption of elective surgical activity in Orthopedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets the criteria that allow the prioritization of surgeries according to the severity of the clinical situation, based on existing and published classifications. Moreover, it provides an organizational model for patient preparation and describes the patient pathways in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. It also describes safety rules for elective surgery and a model for monitoring patients after discharge according to scientific evidence.

Este documento foi elaborado pelo Colégio de Ortopedia da Ordem dos Médicos com o objetivo de estabelecer as orientações sobre a retoma da atividade cirúrgica programada em Ortopedia durante a pandemia COVID-19. As presentes normas de orientação: a) definem os critérios que permitem a priorização das cirurgias de acordo com a gravidade da situação clínica, com base em classificações existentes e publicadas; b) fornecem um modelo de organização para a preparação dos doentes, descrevendo os circuitos do doente nos períodos pré-operatório, intraoperatório e pós-operatório; c) realçam as regras de segurança para a realização de cirurgias e desenham um modelo de acompanhamento após a alta de acordo com a evidência científica.

Recommendations for the organization of electrophysiology and cardiac pacing services during the COVID-19 pandemic : Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS) in collaboration with: Colombian College Of Electrophysiology, Argentinian Society of Cardiac Electrophysiology (SADEC), Brazilian Society Of Cardiac Arrhythmias (SOBRAC), Mexican Society Of Cardiac Electrophysiology (SOMEEC).

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving public health emergency that has largely impacted the provision of healthcare services around the world. The challenge for electrophysiology teams is double; on one side preventing disease spread by limiting all nonessential face-to-face interactions, but at the same time ensuring continued care for patients who need it. These guidelines contain recommendations regarding triaging in order to define what procedures, device checks and clinic visits can be postponed during the pandemic. We also discuss best practices to protect patients and healthcare workers and provide guidance for the management of COVID-19 patients with arrhythmic conditions.