Anesthesia Experts

Updated ASA, APSF, AAAA and AANA Joint Statement on PPE Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

by Leave a Comment

Anesthesiology News

In an update to their recent joint statement, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) and American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) released new recommendations for the best use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by anesthesia providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new recommendation is for anesthesia providers to wear N95 masks or similarly protective equipment, such as powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), in all diagnostic therapeutic and surgical procedures. This is a change from the earlier recommendation to only wear such PPE when a patient is suspected of or diagnosed with COVID-19.

The change came three days after an initial joint statement was released by the AANA, ASA and APSF on March 20. According to the new statement, the update comes at a time when anesthesia professionals are at increased risk for exposure to COVID-19 and PPE has been subject to shortages around the country.

The new recommendations reaffirmed the societies’ position that clinical anesthesia providers should be a priority when new PPE is available.

In a press release about the joint statement, the ASA acknowledged the struggles presented by the ongoing nationwide shortage of PPE, even with the recent announcement from Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, the U.S. surgeon general and a vice admiral the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, that 2 million masks from emergency reserves would be sent by the federal government to areas with the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases.

The statement also focuses on the growing evidence that incubation between time of exposure to the virus and the development of symptoms is five days or longer, and that people who are COVID-19-positive can be either asymptomatic or have minimal symptoms.

According to the statement, optimal recommended practice is for all anesthesia professionals to use PPE appropriately for aerosol-generating procedures when working near any patient’s airway. This recommendation was made in part because testing for COVID-19 has not been universally or promptly available, and identifying patients who are positive for COVID-19 is not currently possible with certainty in the clinical setting, according to the statement.

The four societies continue to endorse the CDC recommendations for proper use of PPE as well as guidance for conserving PPE in the event of ongoing shortages.

Leave a Reply

Call (660) 596-2224
What people thought about us

Testimonials

“As Director of Surgical Services Departments there has been considerable changes have occurred in my department and Anesthesia Experts has always risen to meet our demands of our facility. They have been very pro-active in meeting the increase volumes allowing us to keep our surgeons and patients very satisfied with our services.”

AR BSN 346 beds AL   

“Before AE took over the anesthesia department was described by the surgeons as the worst in the history of our hospital. The prior management company was having a cancelled surgery per day. I am happy to report there has not been one since they have taken over the department. Additionally we have seen a 905 reduction if requested preop
lab tests. The anesthesia department is now the very best hospital department in our entire facility.”

DS CEO 272 beds MS   

“Anesthesia Experts has provided consistent anesthesia providers who display a high degree of integrity, responsibility and professionalism. They have become a more valuable part of our facility and community.”

LR CEO 150 beds TX   

“Even though they are physically located 1000 miles away Anesthesia Experts just does not provide great anesthesia coverage they personally engage surgeons to increase their business. Last year my surgical volume rose by 24% and we are currently 50% ahead of last year and all of that growth is organic.”

JE FACHE CEO AL 92 bed hospital   

“Anesthesia Experts is more responsive than anyone I have dealt with. They are available by phone whenever needed and will be on site for any need or request and has been on site to address issues before we can make the request.”

SW CEO 25 beds NM   

“While problems are extremely rare when they do occur Anesthesia Experts quickly and professionally implements a solution. Our surgical volume has grown over 100 cases per month and now our GI docs want to perform all of their endoscopies in our hospital instead of their GI lab that they own!”

SP CEO 346 beds AL   

“Our anesthesia department was a thorn in my side that kept me awake at night. Anesthesia Experts swept in and brought order to our mess and our department was quickly redirected.”

JAM CNO AL 89 bed hospital   

Add a Testimonial

Verification Captcha