Table 3.

Summary of personal protection practice to be adhered to by operating room team while handling coronavirus disease-19 case/suspect cases in the operation theater

Institutional recommendations
Inform the COVID-19 committee about arrival of a COVID-19 case to OR
Use PPE with N95 face mask and eye protection
Ensure hand hygiene with soap and water hand wash; and alcohol hand rub.
All COVID-19 case/suspect cases to be operated only in designated COVID-19 OR
COVID-19 case/suspect cases should be operated by a senior operating surgeon and anesthesiologist; only assigned trainee resident doctors to enter the SOR
No mobile phones inside the COVID-19 OR
Only rapid sequence intubation in all COVID-19 case/suspect cases presenting for surgery to minimize infective aerosol generation
Use Video-laryngoscope as the first-line tool for intubation
Intra-operative point of care/lab blood samples to be transported only in “COVID-19” labeled secondary containers
COVID-19 OR door to be closed until completion of case; no movement of personnel inside the OR permitted until completion of case
On completion of case - PPE should be doffed with care in designated containers provided by hospital authorities; mandatory hand wash after removing PPE
Use double-concentration sodium hypochlorite for surface disinfection, followed by Sterilization as appropriate for re-usable equipment
Mandatory fumigation of COVID-19 OR after completion of case
Send the image of PPE Adherence and Provider safety checklist to COVID-19 committee, by e-mail soon after shift-out of case from OR
Do not hesitate to seek assistance of COVID-19 committee if there was any accidental breach in PPE

OR: Operating room, PPE: Personal protective equipment, COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019, SOR: Septic operating room