Routine pre-operative Covid testing in elective surgeries: Is it worth it?
Am J Surg
; 2022 Nov 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2104319
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Pre-procedural COVID-19 testing in patients scheduled for elective cases have become routine to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and pulmonary complications related to perioperative COVID-19 infection, and to reduce the use of specific hospital resources among other reasons. This study evaluates the efficacy of universal COVID-19 testing for elective procedures.METHODS:
Single institution retrospective observational study from July 2020 through August 2021.RESULTS:
There were a total of 499 unique patients who were scheduled for 581 surgeries or procedures. A total of 569 anterior nares reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were completed before scheduled procedure. There were 2 (0.35%) positive COVID tests, both of whom were asymptomatic and unvaccinated at time of testing, and 13 (2.2%) cancelled cases overall. The total cost for labor and materials during this period was $19,738, with each RT-PCR test costing $34.69 and each true positive test costing $9,869.CONCLUSIONS:
Given the low COVID-19 positivity in the elective procedural patient population, testing protocols for elective procedures should be re-evaluated as the pandemic evolves.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.amjsurg.2022.10.035
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