COVID-19 Resources

Ambulatory Anesthesia and COVID FAQ: We are collecting answers to the most frequently asked questions.

• COVID-19 Webinars
• Resources/Links
• Discussion Forum
• Statements

STATEMENTS

Statement on Timing of Elective Ambulatory Surgery During COVID-19 Resurgence in the U.S.
February 23, 2021

The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) is concerned about the resurgence of COVID-19 cases throughout the country. Beginning in late fall 2020 viral spread and rates of infection dramatically increased. However, just very recently the numbers have started to mitigate, though rates of infection are almost twice the peaks that we saw in summer 2020. In addition, testing capabilities have escalated, and vaccination is being offered to healthcare workers and senior citizens. Read the full statement below.

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Statement on COVID-19 Testing Before Ambulatory Anesthesia
April 30, 2020

Guidance on pre-operative COVID-19 testing and it’s application specifically to NORA and OBA, inclusive of procedures as well as surgeries, as of the date of issuance.

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Resuming Ambulatory Anesthesia Care
April 18, 2020

A statement on resuming ambulatory anesthesia care, as of the date of issuance, supported by our affiliate societies – the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA).

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Recommendations for Ambulatory Elective Surgery During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 17, 2020

Guidance compiled using the most current information about COVID-19 available at the date of issuance regarding continuing or postponing elective surgeries.

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COVID-SAFE ASC Checklist
May 15, 2020

As the number of patients with COVID-19 begins to level off, many states have eased restrictions for resuming elective surgeries. While the expectation of a COVID-FREE environment anywhere is likely not possible, a more realistic and achievable goal is to be COVID-SAFE.

SAMBA has compiled and is offering this COVID-SAFE Checklist to help ambulatory anesthesiologists create COVID-SAFE environments, helping to reassure the public and patients that you are committed to appropriate measures designed to protect their safety as they receive anesthesia care for their procedures and surgeries.

As your facility complies with all of the checklist items on an ongoing basis, it may display a certificate at the end of the Checklist document indicating it follows the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) COVID-SAFE Checklist measures.

COVID-SAFE ASC Checklist and Certificate

Reflections of an Ambulatory Anesthesiologist from the COVID Front Lines
Tazeen Beg, MD

Dr. Tazeen Beg is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at the Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York. She is the first Chief of the Division of Non-Operating Room Anesthesia (NORA) at the hospital and was instrumental in its evolution. Dr. Beg also works at the Ambulatory Surgery Center. She is an active member of several committees at SAMBA, including the NORA and Communications Committees and the PBLD committee at the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists and has been a delegate. Her interests are focused on teaching the residents and improving the safety of patients in the endoscopy unit.

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Discussion Forum

As we move forward – there still may be many questions or concerns about COVID-19 and what it means for everyone. The provided forum allows us to network and discuss COVID-19 and all it entails.

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Resources/Links

The following links provide insights to different aspects of COVID-19.

General Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – CDC strategies for optimizing supply of N95 respirators; conventional capacity strategies as well as crisis alternate strategies; strategies to optimize the supply of PPE and equipment; links to optimizing strategies for eye protection, isolation gowns, facemasks, a PPE burn rate calculator and ventilators; the FAQs; and answers to questions that will be helpful to families of health care providers who have questions.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Coronavirus rumor control; and help distinguishing fact from fiction regarding the pandemic.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – FDA recommendations for mask and gown conservation.
• Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• USA.gov
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Professional Organizations

• ASA website
• Using Anesthesia Machines as ICU ventilators
• Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF)
• Association of Anaesthetists
• American College of Emergency Physicians
• Children’s Hospital Association (CHA)
• AMA
• Infectious Disease Society of America
• Society for Critical Care Medicine
• European Society of Anaesthesiologists (ESA) COVID-19 resources page
• Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)

Resuming Elective Surgery After COVID-19

• SAMBA statement
• ASA/ACS/AHA/AORN statement
• CMS Guidance for re-opening ASCs for elective surgery
• ASCA statement

Resources for Physicians (Journals)

• Latest Medical Literature
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• JAMA Network
• Anesthesia & Analgesia

Information from ASCA

• COVID-19: Guidance for ASCs on Necessary Surgeries
• COVID-19: An Interview with ASCA CEO Bill Prentice
• Statement from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association regarding Elective Surgery and COVID-19
• ASC Locations, Specialties and Available ORs
• ASCA’s ASC COVID-19 response capacity tool

COVID-19 Prevention

• APIC COVID-19 Resources
• OSHA COVID-19 Control and Prevention
• DOL Fact Sheet- Protecting Workers During a Pandemic

Human Resources

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
• Vaccines. Medicines. Advice.
• Helping Children Cope with changes resulting from COVID-19

CDC Webinars

• Friday, March 13, 2020: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Update and Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations

Healthcare Field

• Respiratory Protection FAQ: Healthcare
• Coronavirus – guidance for anaesthesia and perioperative care providers
• Doctors: Here’s what to do if you’re exposed to COVID-19
• ASA and APSF issue joint statement on non-urgent care during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment by Anesthesia Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• FAQ re: insurance coverage during COVID-19 by the Doctors Insurance Company
• ASA frequently asked questions about COVID 19

Other Physician Resources

• Epidemiology
• COVID Refresher for Anesthesiologists and Intensivists, by Dr. Jen Lau, MD
• Donning and Doffing PPE Videos from UCSF
• Ventilator Management Tips
• Immunology

News From Our International Partner

• Similar challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being faced by our international affiliated partners. To read more, please see the newsletter from Indian College of Anaesthesiologists.

Fitness Resources

• Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu is a member of parliament in Uganda representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda’s Central Region. He is also a Ugandan musician and actor and is also known by his stage name Bobi Wine. He released this song about the Coronavirus.
• There are many websites and organizations that now provide free workouts. Just make sure that you don’t congregate with friends or neighbors. Remember also that you can walk or run outside, as long as you practice social distancing.

SAMBA is providing the information on this site as a public service to assist anesthesiologists and other personnel working in ambulatory settings to deal with COVID-19-related issues. The information is not intended as medical or legal advice. Readers and viewers of the material available on this site should review this information with appropriate medical and legal counsel to assess the applicability of the information to their individual practice settings, as well as compliance with state and federal law. While SAMBA has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate information, SAMBA does not guarantee the accuracy of all information presented on this site. SAMBA shall not be liable for omissions, typographical errors, or out-of-date information that may appear on the SAMBA website. This information does not represent SAMBA policy.

Updated: 5/20/2020