Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2020 Jun;25(1):4-10. 10.14192/kjicp.2020.25.1.4.

Infection Control during Surgery for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Coronavirus Disease-19

• Han SH
• Kim SR
• Cha KS
• Son HJ
• Shin MJ
• Choi JR
• Choi JY

• KMID: 2503755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2020.25.1.4

Abstract

The prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to an increase in the number of patients being treated at medical institutions, including the number of patients requiring surgical treatments. Although the operating room infection control has focused on preventing surgical site infections in patients, a high interest has been shown in preventing infections in the medical staff because of a high risk of exposure of the medical staff to body fluids and respiratory system secretions during surgery when operating on suggested or confirmed patients with COVID-19. A thorough surgical preparation by the medical institution is warranted to protect both the patient and medical staff from contracting infections. The medical institution should closely examine the operation process to maintain the facilities related to the operation and plan the placement of human resources and patient movement. Further, specific guidelines for commodity, environmental, and waste management should be established in accordance with the agency’s situation, and medical workers should be continuously trained using the related guidelines.

Keyword

COVID-19; Guideline; Infection control; Surgery

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