Surgical Care During COVID-19

What to Expect at your Surgical In-Person Office Visit:

• Two to three days prior to your scheduled appointment, you will be contacted by BIDMC to assess your health with questions related to symptoms of COVID-19.
• If needed, we ask that you only bring one support person to your visit. Please ensure that your support person is healthy and has not been exposed to COVID-19.
• Everyone (patients, support persons, staff) is required to wear a mask or a cloth face covering in the hospital. If you do not have one, the hospital will provide a mask upon entry to our lobby.
• All patients and support persons will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms via questions by our patient greeting staff in the lobby.
• Social distancing will keep everyone healthy. You will find signage and markings in place to maintain social distance between you and other people.
• At check in, we will not pass paper or pens back and forth and will not have you sign hospital or clinical consents. All information will be reviewed and verbal consent documented in place of written consent.
• Magazines and multi-touch flyers have been removed from the waiting area.
• BIDMC staff complete a daily symptom assessment, and do not come to work unless feeling healthy. This is one of the ways we keep everyone safe.
• As part of the check in process, you will be escorted to the exam room as soon as possible.
• Exam rooms and high contact surfaces are thoroughly disinfected before and after each patient encounter.

You May Continue to Stay Connected with your Physician from Home – Telehealth Options:

We are pleased to offer a wide range of virtual care options for all surgical specialties. These options include conducting visits by video or telephone, and are a great way to meet your health needs from home. Many appointments that are typically done before and after surgery can also be done remotely. Please reach out to your physician's office to inquire about scheduling your telehealth appointment.

Myth vs. Facts around Virtual Care

MYTH: Telehealth is not available for new patient consults.

FACT: Telehealth is available for all visit types, including new patient visits. If appropriate, our physicians may provide an initial virtual consult and evaluation. If an in-person follow-up evaluation is needed, your visit may be scheduled at one of our many locations, in Boston or at one of many community sites throughout the BILH network. Urgent in-person visits are still available in all surgical specialties.

MYTH: Patients who are not technologically savvy should not consider video visits.

FACT: We have trained support staff available to walk you through the entire video process. In addition to video, telephone visits are also an option for virtual care.

MYTH: Telehealth should only be used for non-urgent patient care.

FACT: Telehealth is not meant to replace emergency care. Virtual health, however, can play a vital role in the initial triage of urgent patient issues. If you are experiencing concerning symptoms and are anxious about going to a healthcare facility, virtual health can be a good first step in triaging the issue.

All surgical patients will receive a COVID-19 test within 48-72 hours prior to their scheduled surgery. In addition, all patients are pre-screened for COVID-19 related symptoms during their pre-admission testing and again at the time of their surgical check-in.

Patients are encouraged to arrive for their surgery on their own and escorts should only accompany a patient if medically necessary. Our care teams will maintain communication with a designated contact (either a family member or support person) throughout the patient's stay. Details around discharge instructions and pickup will be provided as needed.

Operating rooms are properly equipped to be safely converted for patients with COVID-19. Each operating room and all surgical equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized following CDC guidelines between all surgical cases.

Patients with COVID-19 remain separate from non-COVID patients throughout the entire surgical process, including pre- and post-surgical care.

Is it safe to have surgery right now?

The decision to have surgery should be made by both the patient and their physician based on the best interest of the patient's care. BIDMC is taking many precautions to ensure all patients safety leading up to, during and following surgery. Our safety measures meet or exceed guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ( the CDC), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

What precautions are in place to screen patients for COVID-19 prior to surgery?

All surgical patients will receive a COVID-19 test within 48-72 hours prior to their scheduled surgery. In addition, all patients are pre-screened for COVID-19 related symptoms during their pre-admission testing and again at the time of their surgical check-in.

How do I know that my surgeon and the medical staff do not have COVID-19?

All staff members must complete an attestation before every shift to confirm they do not have any of the possible symptoms associated with COVID-19. If a staff member reports any symptoms, they cannot return to work until they are evaluated and fully recovered. In addition, all staff members wear surgical masks or N-95 respirators to protect both the patient and themselves from acquiring the virus. When interacting with patients who have or who may have COVID-19, staff members wear N-95 respirators, gloves, gowns, eye protection and other personal protective equipment (PPE) which is properly changed between patients.

How do you clean and disinfect the operating rooms?

Operating rooms are properly equipped to be safely converted for patients with COVID-19. Each operating room and surgical equipment are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized following CDC guidelines between all surgical cases.

How do you separate surgical patients with COVID-19 from other patients?

Surgical patients with COVID-19 are cared for in designated areas before and after surgery (separate from patients without COVID-19) within the Pre and Post Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs). Patients with COVID-19 recover in the operating room or in the designated PACU COVID area until they are discharged home or transferred to an inpatient unit.

Admitted patients with COVID-19 are cared for in COVID capable rooms and continue to be separated from non-COVID patients. There are designated Intensive Care Units (ICUs) for patients with COVID-19. These units remain completely separate from patients without COVID -19.

Operating rooms are properly equipped to be safely converted for patients with COVID-19 and thoroughly cleaned following every surgical case.

If I need to be admitted after surgery, will I have a private room?

Private rooms are assigned based on medical necessity. Patients assigned to a semi-private room (two patients per room) must have passed all pre-screening COVID-19 assessments. Patients with COVID-19 are cared for in COVID capable rooms and continue to be separated from non-COVID patients

Do I need to wear a mask during surgery?

Surgical patients are required to wear a mask up until the administration of anesthesia and/or throughout their surgery, depending on the discretion of their physician. A mask will be required again during the recovery process. There are very limited exceptions to this rule including those who cannot tolerate wearing a mask due to conditions such as respiratory distress. In these circumstances, special precautions are taken to protect other patients and caregivers. A mask will be provided to anyone who arrives at the hospital without one.

Can I bring someone with me on the day of my surgery?

We encourage all surgical patients to come on their own. Curbside live parking (for drop-off into lobby) is available for patients being dropped off or arriving alone. In the event that a patient needs an escort for physical, medical or other necessary reason, we will make every effort to accommodate. Escorts will be evaluated for symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival at the facility and will be required to wear a surgical mask or face covering at all times. A surgical mask will be provided if needed. If they have symptoms or recent diagnosis of COVID-19, they will not be allowed admission into the hospital. A brief preoperative visit with the escort may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Communication with a designated contact (either a family member or support person) will be maintained throughout the patient’s stay and details around discharge instructions and pickup will be provided.

Can I have visitors come see me after surgery?

For the privacy, safety, and well-being of our patients, visitors, and staff, visits after surgery (both inpatient and outpatient) are not allowed in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at this time.

Learn more about BIDMC's Updated Visitor Guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can my length of stay be reduced for early discharge and recovery at home?

Length of stay and discharge plans are based on the patient's recovery following surgery and the best interest of their care. Our healthcare team's goal is to make sure the patient returns home as soon as it is considered safe for their care.