Role of anaesthesiologist in the management of covid-19 suspected/confirmed patients for surgery

Abstract

The COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-19) outbreak originating from Wuhan, China has swept the whole world in an alarming manner with rapid progression of the disease all across the continents. The mode of disease spread is mainly through direct contact with the patient or through fomites and by inhalation of droplets and aerosols. The disease has put the Health Care Workers (HCWs)at tremendous risk of contracting the disease themselves as they deal with the patient. Physical contact, direct or through fomites does happen during the course of various patient care activities. Besides that, the anaesthesiologists work very close to the patient particularly during the high probability aerosol generating procedures (AGP) like tracheal intubation, extubation and suction. While performing the clinical work, protection of the anesthesiologist as well as containment of the aerosol are, therefore, utmost priorities when the patient presents for any surgical procedure. Regional anaesthesia is relatively safer due to low aerosol output, but general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation is a very high-risk activity. The authors highlight the required steps that need to be taken for the safety of the HCWs associated with the surgical procedure while providing high quality patient care to the COVID-19, suspected or confirmed patients.