828 Is Isolation Before Elective Surgery the Way Forward During The COVID-19 Pandemic?

Abstract

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is here to last, and services must adapt to enable elective surgery to continue. Surgery involves high-risk aerosol generating procedures, potentially harmful to staff and patients. The current NICE guidance is for the patient to self-isolate for 72 hours prior to surgery. A question persists: Is 72-hour isolation the way forward in elective general surgery?MethodIn a DGH centre, using an anonymous questionnaire, we prospectively collected data on isolation for 36 elective general surgery patients during the 72h isolation period. The data was analysed to assess the concordance with isolation as well as patient's satisfaction with the process.Results75% of patients were concordant with 72 hours of isolation pre-operatively. This was an increase from 35% when compared to patients questioned during the 14 day isolation period. The main factors contributing to isolation breech were visitors to the house and the mode of transport used to attend hospital.ConclusionsThe protocol is now for a COVID swab 72 hours pre-operatively followed by isolation until the operation. Our results show that still significant breaches in isolation remain and patients welfare is adversely affected during that period. Further research and consideration is needed to optimise the COVID isolation protocol.