Key TakeawaysExperts are recommending a strict timeline to determine when a person recovering from COVID-19 is eligible for elective surgery.Doctors will need guidance for helping people who have had COVID-19, as many are experiencing “post-COVID syndrome" with symptoms or complications that linger long after they have recovered from the virus.The Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) has developed new guidelines to help hospitals and surgery centers determine whether patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can safely undergo elective surgery. Specifically, the guidelines are intended to screen for any lingering, systemic symptoms, which may make a procedure riskier.Elective surgery, also called non-emergent surgery, can be a major or minor procedure that can be scheduled in advance. However, just because surgery is elective does not mean it is optional—it just means it can be scheduled beforehand.Some common types of minor and major elective surgeries include:Plastic surgeryKnee andhip replacementKidney stone removalExploratory or diagnostic surgeryHysterectomyAngioplastyLaser surgeryHow Hospitals Are Managing a Backlog of Elective Surgeries From COVID-19Researchers used worldwide published data to draft a list of recommendations for physicians to pre-screen patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for post-COVID syndrome—a group of symptoms and complications from SARS-CoV-2 that persist well after the virus leaves the body, including muscle atrophy, weakness, fatigue, and inflammation. These people are often referred to as “long-haulers."“COVID affects so many organ systems and can have subtle or even ‘sneaky’ manifestations of the organ damage it has caused,”Avital O’Glasser, MD, senior author of the study and associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, tells Verywell. “We need to be very thorough in investigating any signs of lingering COVID effects.”Post-COVID SnydromeExperts will likely need years to fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, but current data suggests that many people are experiencing prolonged symptoms of the infection that have diminished their quality of life.Even a minor COVID-19 illness can leave a person with lasting symptoms well after they have recovered and tested negative for the disease.The medical community had previously referred to this subset of patients as “COVID long-haulers,” but have recently renamed the phenomenon “post-COVID syndrome.”The most common lingering symptoms of “post-COVID syndrome” include:FatigueDifficulty breathingJoint painChest painBrain fog, including an inability to concentrate and impaired memoryLoss of taste and/or smellSleep issuesThe study was modeled after the recommended protocol and existing evidence-based literature outlining a patient’s clinical recovery from a major medical event before elective surgery.The new guidelines target specific laboratory findings and biomarkers that have historically been good predictors of disease severity to help determine if a patient is at continued risk after COVID-19.The protocol also factors in the amount of time between the patient’s illness and the date of the operation, as well as whether a patient will needgeneral anesthesia.What This Means For YouResearchers are still learning how symptoms and complications of COVID-19 can remain long after a person has recovered from the illness. If you had COVID-19 and got better and need elective surgery, talk to your healthcare provider. With the new guidelines, they will be able to assess your health and make sure that it is safe for you to have surgery, as well as ensure that you have enough time to recover.The New RecommendationsThe suggested guidelines, which were introduced to the OSHU system in August 2020, include a combination of blood tests, diagnostic exams (chest X-ray, EKG, echocardiogram), a patient’s functional status and respiratory status, as well as the psychosocial factors that can influence the safety and outcome of the surgery.The type of surgery (major or minor) and the amount of sedation required are used to help clinicians determine which pre-screening tests need to be administered before the patient can be deemed safe for the operation.Key Highlights of the New ProtocolMinimum of 4 weeks recovery time for patients who had asymptomatic COVID-19 illnessMinimum of 6 to 8 weeks recovery time for patients who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during their illnessPhysical assessment and medical history to rule out any COVID-19 complications and determine if a patient has returned to their pre-COVID baseline healthFrailty assessment for patients over 65 and those who required hospitalization during their COVID-19 illnessAdditional tests (depending on the severity of the COVID-19 illness) to evaluate a patient’s cardiopulmonary function, coagulation status, inflammation markers, and nutritional status“This protocol includes many tests that we rarely, if ever perform, in the preoperative setting,” O’Glasser says. “It’s also very rare to obtain a chest X-ray in a patient without pulmonary symptoms before surgery. However, because of COVID, we have increased the reliance on a panel of lab tests, EKG, and chest X-ray to investigate lingering effects.”A Third of COVID-19 Patients Experience Lasting Symptoms, Study FindsLong-Haul COVID Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.What Other Experts RecommendIn December 2020, The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) issued a joint statement addressing the need for updated protocols regarding elective surgery and anesthesia for patients who have recovered from COVID-19.The ASA and APSF highlighted the need for a more detailed preoperative evaluation scheduled far in advance of surgery, with special attention given to the patient’s cardiopulmonary systems to assess for residual COVID-19 symptoms.“We hope that our protocol provides hospitals and surgical centers specific ways to act on this overarching recommendation,” O’Glasser says.“The pandemic’s fascinating and notable feature has been that we are all learning how to provide care in the absence of clear cut data and information. We are doing this separately and together,” Cliff Schmiesing, MD, co-director of the Stanford Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic, tells Verywell. “We learn every day, refining and improving our care, protocols, and decisions and sharing this more freely and quickly than ever before.“Understanding the Possible Risks and Complications of SurgeryNext StepsSince the OHSU protocol was approved, approximately 40 participants have been screened using the recommendations. Thus far, the researchers are unaware of any canceled or delayed surgeries because of abnormal findings.The authors of the study credit proactive partnership between referring surgeons and the strict time-frame requirements outlined in the new guidelines as a possible reason for the good outcomes.The next steps will be to expand the protocol to include past COVID-19 patients undergoing procedural sedation for minor procedures.The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Key TakeawaysExperts are recommending a strict timeline to determine when a person recovering from COVID-19 is eligible for elective surgery.Doctors will need guidance for helping people who have had COVID-19, as many are experiencing “post-COVID syndrome” with symptoms or complications that linger long after they have recovered from the virus.
Key Takeaways
Experts are recommending a strict timeline to determine when a person recovering from COVID-19 is eligible for elective surgery.Doctors will need guidance for helping people who have had COVID-19, as many are experiencing “post-COVID syndrome” with symptoms or complications that linger long after they have recovered from the virus.
The Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) has developed new guidelines to help hospitals and surgery centers determine whether patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can safely undergo elective surgery. Specifically, the guidelines are intended to screen for any lingering, systemic symptoms, which may make a procedure riskier.
Elective surgery, also called non-emergent surgery, can be a major or minor procedure that can be scheduled in advance. However, just because surgery is elective does not mean it is optional—it just means it can be scheduled beforehand.
Some common types of minor and major elective surgeries include:
How Hospitals Are Managing a Backlog of Elective Surgeries From COVID-19
Researchers used worldwide published data to draft a list of recommendations for physicians to pre-screen patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for post-COVID syndrome—a group of symptoms and complications from SARS-CoV-2 that persist well after the virus leaves the body, including muscle atrophy, weakness, fatigue, and inflammation. These people are often referred to as “long-haulers.”
“COVID affects so many organ systems and can have subtle or even ‘sneaky’ manifestations of the organ damage it has caused,”Avital O’Glasser, MD, senior author of the study and associate professor of medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, tells Verywell. “We need to be very thorough in investigating any signs of lingering COVID effects.”
Post-COVID SnydromeExperts will likely need years to fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, but current data suggests that many people are experiencing prolonged symptoms of the infection that have diminished their quality of life.Even a minor COVID-19 illness can leave a person with lasting symptoms well after they have recovered and tested negative for the disease.The medical community had previously referred to this subset of patients as “COVID long-haulers,” but have recently renamed the phenomenon “post-COVID syndrome.”The most common lingering symptoms of “post-COVID syndrome” include:FatigueDifficulty breathingJoint painChest painBrain fog, including an inability to concentrate and impaired memoryLoss of taste and/or smellSleep issues
Post-COVID Snydrome
Experts will likely need years to fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, but current data suggests that many people are experiencing prolonged symptoms of the infection that have diminished their quality of life.Even a minor COVID-19 illness can leave a person with lasting symptoms well after they have recovered and tested negative for the disease.The medical community had previously referred to this subset of patients as “COVID long-haulers,” but have recently renamed the phenomenon “post-COVID syndrome.”The most common lingering symptoms of “post-COVID syndrome” include:FatigueDifficulty breathingJoint painChest painBrain fog, including an inability to concentrate and impaired memoryLoss of taste and/or smellSleep issues
Experts will likely need years to fully understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, but current data suggests that many people are experiencing prolonged symptoms of the infection that have diminished their quality of life.
Even a minor COVID-19 illness can leave a person with lasting symptoms well after they have recovered and tested negative for the disease.
The medical community had previously referred to this subset of patients as “COVID long-haulers,” but have recently renamed the phenomenon “post-COVID syndrome.”
The most common lingering symptoms of “post-COVID syndrome” include:
The study was modeled after the recommended protocol and existing evidence-based literature outlining a patient’s clinical recovery from a major medical event before elective surgery.
The new guidelines target specific laboratory findings and biomarkers that have historically been good predictors of disease severity to help determine if a patient is at continued risk after COVID-19.
The protocol also factors in the amount of time between the patient’s illness and the date of the operation, as well as whether a patient will needgeneral anesthesia.
What This Means For YouResearchers are still learning how symptoms and complications of COVID-19 can remain long after a person has recovered from the illness. If you had COVID-19 and got better and need elective surgery, talk to your healthcare provider. With the new guidelines, they will be able to assess your health and make sure that it is safe for you to have surgery, as well as ensure that you have enough time to recover.
What This Means For You
Researchers are still learning how symptoms and complications of COVID-19 can remain long after a person has recovered from the illness. If you had COVID-19 and got better and need elective surgery, talk to your healthcare provider. With the new guidelines, they will be able to assess your health and make sure that it is safe for you to have surgery, as well as ensure that you have enough time to recover.
The New Recommendations
The suggested guidelines, which were introduced to the OSHU system in August 2020, include a combination of blood tests, diagnostic exams (chest X-ray, EKG, echocardiogram), a patient’s functional status and respiratory status, as well as the psychosocial factors that can influence the safety and outcome of the surgery.
The type of surgery (major or minor) and the amount of sedation required are used to help clinicians determine which pre-screening tests need to be administered before the patient can be deemed safe for the operation.
Key Highlights of the New ProtocolMinimum of 4 weeks recovery time for patients who had asymptomatic COVID-19 illnessMinimum of 6 to 8 weeks recovery time for patients who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during their illnessPhysical assessment and medical history to rule out any COVID-19 complications and determine if a patient has returned to their pre-COVID baseline healthFrailty assessment for patients over 65 and those who required hospitalization during their COVID-19 illnessAdditional tests (depending on the severity of the COVID-19 illness) to evaluate a patient’s cardiopulmonary function, coagulation status, inflammation markers, and nutritional status
Key Highlights of the New Protocol
Minimum of 4 weeks recovery time for patients who had asymptomatic COVID-19 illnessMinimum of 6 to 8 weeks recovery time for patients who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms during their illnessPhysical assessment and medical history to rule out any COVID-19 complications and determine if a patient has returned to their pre-COVID baseline healthFrailty assessment for patients over 65 and those who required hospitalization during their COVID-19 illnessAdditional tests (depending on the severity of the COVID-19 illness) to evaluate a patient’s cardiopulmonary function, coagulation status, inflammation markers, and nutritional status
“This protocol includes many tests that we rarely, if ever perform, in the preoperative setting,” O’Glasser says. “It’s also very rare to obtain a chest X-ray in a patient without pulmonary symptoms before surgery. However, because of COVID, we have increased the reliance on a panel of lab tests, EKG, and chest X-ray to investigate lingering effects.”
A Third of COVID-19 Patients Experience Lasting Symptoms, Study Finds
Long-Haul COVID Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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What Other Experts Recommend
In December 2020, The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) issued a joint statement addressing the need for updated protocols regarding elective surgery and anesthesia for patients who have recovered from COVID-19.
The ASA and APSF highlighted the need for a more detailed preoperative evaluation scheduled far in advance of surgery, with special attention given to the patient’s cardiopulmonary systems to assess for residual COVID-19 symptoms.
“We hope that our protocol provides hospitals and surgical centers specific ways to act on this overarching recommendation,” O’Glasser says.
“The pandemic’s fascinating and notable feature has been that we are all learning how to provide care in the absence of clear cut data and information. We are doing this separately and together,” Cliff Schmiesing, MD, co-director of the Stanford Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic, tells Verywell. “We learn every day, refining and improving our care, protocols, and decisions and sharing this more freely and quickly than ever before.”
Understanding the Possible Risks and Complications of Surgery
Next Steps
Since the OHSU protocol was approved, approximately 40 participants have been screened using the recommendations. Thus far, the researchers are unaware of any canceled or delayed surgeries because of abnormal findings.
The authors of the study credit proactive partnership between referring surgeons and the strict time-frame requirements outlined in the new guidelines as a possible reason for the good outcomes.
The next steps will be to expand the protocol to include past COVID-19 patients undergoing procedural sedation for minor procedures.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bui N, Coetzer M, Schenning K, O’Glasser A.Preparing previously COVID-19 positive patients for elective surgery: a framework for preoperative evaluation.Perioper Med.January 2021;10(1):3-4. doi:10.1186/s13741-020-00172-2John Hopkins Medicine.Types of Surgery.Houston Methodist.Post-COVID Syndrome: What Should You Do If You Have Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms?.American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).ASA and APSF Joint Statement on Elective Surgery and Anesthesia for Patients after COVID-19 Infection.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bui N, Coetzer M, Schenning K, O’Glasser A.Preparing previously COVID-19 positive patients for elective surgery: a framework for preoperative evaluation.Perioper Med.January 2021;10(1):3-4. doi:10.1186/s13741-020-00172-2John Hopkins Medicine.Types of Surgery.Houston Methodist.Post-COVID Syndrome: What Should You Do If You Have Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms?.American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).ASA and APSF Joint Statement on Elective Surgery and Anesthesia for Patients after COVID-19 Infection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bui N, Coetzer M, Schenning K, O’Glasser A.Preparing previously COVID-19 positive patients for elective surgery: a framework for preoperative evaluation.Perioper Med.January 2021;10(1):3-4. doi:10.1186/s13741-020-00172-2John Hopkins Medicine.Types of Surgery.Houston Methodist.Post-COVID Syndrome: What Should You Do If You Have Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms?.American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).ASA and APSF Joint Statement on Elective Surgery and Anesthesia for Patients after COVID-19 Infection.
Bui N, Coetzer M, Schenning K, O’Glasser A.Preparing previously COVID-19 positive patients for elective surgery: a framework for preoperative evaluation.Perioper Med.January 2021;10(1):3-4. doi:10.1186/s13741-020-00172-2
John Hopkins Medicine.Types of Surgery.
Houston Methodist.Post-COVID Syndrome: What Should You Do If You Have Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms?.
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).ASA and APSF Joint Statement on Elective Surgery and Anesthesia for Patients after COVID-19 Infection.
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