Infection prevention measures and outcomes for surgical patients during a COVID-19 outbreak in a tertiary hospital in Daegu, South Korea: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: The first large coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) outbreak outside China occurred in Daegu. In response, we developed infection prevention measures for surgical patients during the outbreak at our hospital and retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of COVID–19–related surgical patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 118 COVID–19–related surgical patients and monitored their clinical outcomes until March 31, 2021. We also interviewed healthcare workers who participated in their perioperative care at Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital. The perioperative management guidelines for COVID–19–related patients were prepared through multidisciplinary discussions, including the infection control department, surgical departments, and anesthesiology department before and during the COVID–19 outbreak. RESULTS: One standard operating room was temporarily converted to a negative-pressure room by increasing the exhaust air volume, creating a relative pressure of −11.3 Pa. The healthcare workers were equipped with personal protective equipment according to the patient's classification of the risk of COVID–19 transmission. The 118 COVID–19–related patients underwent emergent surgery in the negative–pressure room, including three COVID–19–confirmed patients and five COVID–19–exposed patients. CONCLUSION: All surgeries of the COVID–19–related patients were performed without specific adverse events or perioperative COVID–19 transmission. Our experience setting up a negative–pressure operating room and conservative perioperative protocol to prevent COVID–19 transmission will help plan and execute infection control measures in the future.