LAUSR

doi/10.1002/aorn.13598 A polymerase chain reaction test should be performed within three days of an anesthetic, procedure, or surgery with the potential to generate aerosols. Image courtesy of Getty Images via narvikk. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect many aspects of health care, including in the perioperative setting.1 Patients who have had COVID-19 can experience residual symptoms, including fatigue, dyspnea, and joint and chest pain, even more than two months after diagnosis, and can experience long-term cardiovascular consequences.2-5 Studies also indicate that COVID-19 is associated with high morbidity and mortality in surgical patients, regardless of age or comorbidities.1,6,7 Even without COVID-19, evidence indicates that an upper respiratory infection in the month before surgery is an independent risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications,8 and that airway hyperreactivity resulting from an upper respiratory infection can persist up to six weeks and may contribute to surgical complications.9,10 Determining the optimal timing of surgery and level of preoperative evaluation is an important step when preparing patients who have had COVID-19 for nonurgent or elective surgery.1,2