Routine pre-operative Covid testing in elective surgeries: Is it worth it? - 08/12/22
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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.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | Low COVID positivity rate (0.35%) in preprocedural testing for elective procedures. |
• | COVID positive in unvaccinated and asymptomatic patients. |
• | Testing cost for each test was $34.69 with true positive test costing $9,869. |
• | Cost-effectiveness likely depends on number of factors and timing in pandemic. |
Keywords : COVID-19, Preprocedural testing, Preoperative testing, SAR-CoV-2, Screening
Plan
Vol 224 - N° 6
P. 1380-1384 - décembre 2022 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.