Ramping up Delivery of Cardiac Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Guidance Statement from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons COVID-19 Task Force
Author Department
Surgery
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
5-2020
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact. Its rapid transmissibility has transformed healthcare delivery and forced countries to adopt strict measures to contain its spread. The vast majority of U.S. cardiac surgical programs have deferred all but truly emergent/urgent operative procedures in an effort to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and to mobilize resources to combat the pandemic surge. While the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase worldwide, the incidence of new cases has begun to decline in many North American cities. This "flattening of the curve" has prompted interest in re-opening the economy, relaxing public health restrictions, and resuming non-urgent health care delivery.
Recommended Citation
Engelman DT, Lother S, George I, Ailawadi G, Atluri P, Grant MC, Haft JW, Hassan A, Legare JF, Whitman G, Arora RC; Society of Thoracic Surgeons COVID-19 Task Force and Workforce for Adult Cardiac and Vascular Surgery. Ramping up Delivery of Cardiac Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Guidance Statement from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons COVID-19 Task Force. Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 May 11.
PMID
32407853