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Providence ends pre-procedure COVID testing for asymptomatic patients

Published Date
Author Providence Provider Update News Team

PROVIDENCE OREGON – A recent review of the evidence supports discontinuing pre-procedure testing of asymptomatic patients undergoing surgery. This change has been made as of Monday, Nov. 7.

Important notes

  • If a patient reports any COVID symptoms, they should obtain a test and their planned surgical date should be re-evaluated. 
  • For patients with a symptomatic COVID infection, we continue to recommend a delay of elective surgery for seven weeks from symptom onset when possible.
    • The data have shown a significant increased risk if the patient is symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and an even higher risk if surgery occurs while symptoms are still present.
    • If surgery is urgent, the patient’s age, medical comorbidities, invasiveness of surgery, as well as persistent symptoms should be considered when deciding about timing of surgery. 
  • We recommend that surgical patients be up to date with COVID vaccinations (preferably completed two weeks prior to surgery).

Learn more

See more about the evidence behind this decision, including a review of recent studies, in the announcement sent to surgeons.

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