Indian society of anaesthesiologists (ISA national) advisory and position statement regarding COVID-19

Abstract

Anaesthesiologist interaction with patients with COVID-19 can occur in Accident and Emergency Department/Trauma Centre for emergency airway management; Critical Care/Intensive Care Units; Pre-Anaesthetic Check Up (PAC) Clinics and Pain Clinics; Perioperative Anaesthesia Care; and Anaesthesia at remote locations: endoscopy, ECT, Radiology (MRI) etc., The anaesthesiologists have to take care of the patients as well as themselves. [...]existing resources have to be preserved and additional generated immediately. Wear disposable caps and beard covers to decrease the risk of hand contamination by touching hair that may have been exposed to droplets.Do mock drills for correct donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gown, face mask, eye shields and gloves.Do Mock intubation/extubation drills wearing PPE.Aerosol-generating procedures are tracheal intubation and extubation, suctioning, nebulization, CPAP, BiPAP or high flow nasal oxygen therapy. The suggested sequence for putting on personal protective equipment is as follows: putting on scrubs and hair cover → performing hand hygiene → putting on the mask → putting on inner gloves → putting on the coverall → putting on eye protection (goggles/face shield) → putting on foot protection → putting on the isolation gown → putting on outer gloves → test the fit of the personal protective equipment components.Place all equipments and drugs required for the anaesthetic management in a tray and avoid handling of the drug trolley during the case.Place two high quality Heat and Moisture Exchange Filters (HMEFs).