Institutional Protocol Evolution for Screening Surgical Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The provisions of healthcare have significantly changed globally as a result of the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Consequently, SARS-CoV-2 has required hospitals to create institution-specific preoperative screening protocols to minimize nosocomial transmission. Nursing leadership at our institution has served an important role in the evolving screening process. Over 260,000 people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 within Harris County, significantly impacting healthcare systems within the greater Houston area. Institutional surgical screening protocols have thus been designed to improve patient and provider safety while delivering optimal care in accordance with our institution's guidelines and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Implementation of screening protocols has helped limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection while maintaining high standards of patient care. Through this experience, perioperative nursing personnel have effectively helped design and implement surgical screening protocols while also safely and properly screening patients. In addition, nurses have shown flexibility in response to the evolving nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.