TABLE 1.

Challenges faced by head and neck oncologic practices in the wake of COVID‐19 and associated recommendations

Prevention of transmission	Avoidance of unnecessary procedures and physical exams; Full PPE for all aerosolizing procedures.
Triaging new patient referrals	3.Virtual multidisciplinary screening prior to patient assessment; 4.Virtual case conference discussion; 5.In‐person consultations limited to instances where procedure/physical examination is essential.
Ongoing care/posttreatment surveillance	6.Virtual follow‐up care whenever possible; 7.In‐person assessment by a small group of rotating providers.
Preoperative screening	8.Patient to self‐isolate prior to surgery; 9.In COVID‐19 positive patient, surgery only in emergent cases; 10.In COVID‐19 unknown/negative patients, testing should be sought immediately prior to surgery.
Surgical management	11.In certain instances, treatment with primary (chemo)radiation over surgery may be preferred; 12.Surgical management only in instances where worse oncologic outcome expected if delayed more than 4 weeks; 13.Limiting operating room personnel to essential team members; 14.Minimization of team member movement in and out of operating room during all surgical cases; 15.Reconstructive options should be considered in the context of a pandemic setting and limited resources; 16.Surgical team can consider staying immediately outside of operating room during intubation/extubation.

Abbreviation: PPE, personal protective equipment.