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Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine

Center for Perioperative Medicine

UR Medicine / Anesthesiology / Center for Perioperative Medicine / COVID Screening Information / FAQ
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I’ve had a positive COVID-19 test in the past 3 months?

  • Even if you have had a positive test in the past 3 months, you may still need another test before surgery.  The decision to test before surgery and anesthesia is a state requirement and based on several factors that may change week to week.
  • Please note - This presurgical test may return positive.  This is expected for up to 3 months after COVID infection.  In this setting, a presurgical positive result alone will not make the decision to further postpone surgery.
  • The timing of elective surgery after recovery from COVID-19 utilizes both symptom- and severity-based categories as well as vaccination history. Please notify your surgeon what your symptoms were at the time of infection, in addition to your vaccination status, and the date of your first COVID positive test result.  You may be required to show proof of the positive test if not already in our electronic medical record.  After this information is provided to your surgical team, they will reference the most recent hospital guidelines and provide you the best time to proceed with elective surgery.  These guidelines are in place to ensure that you stay safe and healthy so that you can otherwise recover from your surgery.

2.What if I refuse to be swabbed for COVID-19?

  • Your surgery or procedure may need to be postponed.

3.What if my COVID-19 test has not come back by the time of my surgery of procedure?

  • Your surgery or procedure may be delayed or cancelled if the result have not returned in time for your surgery or procedure.  That is why it is very important for you to follow the directions of your surgeon or proceduralist’s office & be swabbed 5 days before the date of your surgery or procedure, but not greater than 5 days beforehand.