Establishment and implementation of emergency plan for surgery to COVID-19 patients

  Objective  To establish a new emergency plan for surgery to COVID-19 patients and evaluate the effect of its implementation.

  Methods  As a military-led grade A tertiary hospital for infectious diseases, the fifth medical center of Chinese PLA General Hospital had received many confirmed/suspected COVID-19 cases recently, so surgical treatment might be needed. By analyzing the clinical condition of these cases and the characteristics of the disease, we formulated relevant emergency plans for surgery to COVID-19 patients, including preoperative evaluation, intraoperative care, post-operative disinfection of environment, etc., and standardized personal protection of medical staff. The prepared emergency plan for surgery was implemented in one case required tracheal intubation.

  Results  The emergency plan for the surgery to COVID-19 patients was applied during the tracheal intubation, and the intubation was successful. Two anesthesiologists were defined as at high-risk of exposure and used all the personal protective equipments including respirator. They were isolated for 15 days after the operation. All observation indicators were normal during the isolation and no infection was identified.

  Conclusion  The new emergency plan for surgery to COVID-19 patients has been established and implemented, with strong operability, clear procedures, satisfactory implementation results, and zero infection in medical staff.