The prospect of undergoing major surgery carries enough uncertainty to make anyone nervous without the added risk of COVID-19. With hospital beds, care staff, and personal protective equipment (PPE) at a premium, you may wonder how medical professionals decide which surgeries to perform when and what hospitals are doing to guarantee your safety. Here’s what you need to know when planning for major surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.*

Which surgeries are being performed and when?

Most surgeries can be categorized as either elective (optional) or essential (necessary).

Elective surgery

When considering elective surgery, your surgeon may delay the procedure to:

• Avoid unnecessary exposure to infection
• Conserve PPE, hospital beds, and other resources, such as ventilators, for use in emergency cases

Essential surgery

Even essential surgeries may be delayed. Just because a procedure is necessary doesn’t mean that it is urgent. Surgical risk and necessity are evaluated on an individual basis. Even some cancer surgeries can safely be delayed for a time—depending on the type of cancer, what stage it’s in, and how quickly it’s spreading.

Other considerations

Some other factors that your doctor will take into consideration when scheduling your surgery during the pandemic include:

• Your overall health needs and concerns 
• Extent and severity of local COVID-19 activity
• Expected length of inpatient recovery
• Whether or not your recovery will require a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU)

You and your surgeon will decide the best course of action for your particular situation.

What safety protocols are in place at hospitals?

The more that hospitals have learned about effective COVID-19 prevention protocols, the more steps they have been taking to help keep patients, staff, and visitors safe. 

Some of these steps include:

• Screening patients before surgery 
• Screening staff before beginning each shift
• Requiring patients and staff to wear masks and practice social distancing 
• Requiring staff to wear PPE, such as gowns and gloves, when working with patients
• Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all spaces, from operating rooms to reception areas

Many hospitals also have taken the following precautions:

• Treat known COVID-19 patients in special areas with staff who stay in those areas
• Have separate routes for transporting those patients through the hospital  
• Provide separate entrances and waiting areas for patients with COVID-19

You may be asked to self-quarantine before the surgery to reduce the risk of infection.

What steps can I take to protect myself and my family before surgery?

Your surgeon should discuss safety precautions well in advance of the procedure.

Some steps you can take to increase safety include:

• Practice social distancing, and avoid large gatherings.
• Wear a mask, and wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with, or shows symptoms of, COVID-19.
• Monitor yourself for symptoms and check your temperature daily.
• Ask about how your surgery could affect your risk of COVID-19 infection.
• Find out about the hospital’s precautions and visitor policies.

Share all this information with your loved ones to prepare them for what you need to do and what you need from them. They may not be able to visit you in the hospital due to COVID-19 safety restrictions. 

What happens after surgery?

Some surgeries can increase your risk of infection (of various types) more than others. Ask your physician for any specific safety precautions you should take during your recovery period.

Some basic safety practices include:

• Continuing to practice social distancing and avoiding large gatherings
• Wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently
• Limit visitors in your home (or place of recovery) after your surgery
• Self-quarantining if you’re exposed to someone known to have COVID-19

You and your healthcare provider can decide whether in-person or telehealth follow-up appointments are most appropriate for you. 

*Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, Aug. 22). Facing Major Surgery in the COVID-19 Era. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/covid-19-surgery/art-20490340