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Hi Kimberly, I can't officially speak on behalf of SAMBA or a company. But, a very large ASC corporation (over 150 ASCs) reviewed data on all cases performed in the endoscopy suites, and did not find any transmission from patient to provider, and thus stopped testing patients undergoing GI procedures. This does not mean that providers should not wear N95 masks but is very encouraging.
Patients who have been COVID + should still follow ASA SAMBA APSF statements. Data recently published did demonstrate poor outcomes in patients who were COVID +.
Lancet 2020;396:27-38. ASA SAMBA APSF recommends for COVID + to wait at least:
*Asymptomatic at least 4 weeks
*Symptomatic 6 weeks
*Hospitalization 8 weeks
*ICU 12 weeks
A more recent article published in Anaesthesia 2021, "timing of surgery following SARS CoV-2 infection" reviewing over 140,000 patients, recommended waiting at least 7 weeks for all COVID+ patients. Findings were similar for healthy and patients with comorbidities.
In regards to patients who have been vaccinated, waiting 2 weeks post-vaccination is advisable, these patients can still be carriers, but asymptomatic, they won't get sick, but they can transmit the virus if infected, and thus, they should still wear a mask to prevent infecting others.
Leopoldo V Rodriguez, MD MBA FAAP FASA SAMBA-F |
