The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have affected many industries, and plastic surgery also experienced a temporary downturn. But as the economy reopened, the interest in plastic surgery procedures picked up. Plastic surgeons in NYC report that while certain procedures have an increase compared to this time last year, treatments that were popular a few months back are no longer in demand, and have been replaced by other procedures. Now that practices are open, the focus is on patient safety. Patients considering a procedure need to take care to choose a plastic surgery that adheres to the safety guidance recommended by the government and industry associations to reduce the risk of viral transmission.
Both patients and plastic surgeons should follow important safety measures and protocols recommended for elective procedures. Reliable plastic surgery practices adhere to the very highest standards of health and safety for their patients, staff, and facility. This includes:
- Guidelines from CDC and state health department
- Regulations issued by the federal government for ambulatory surgery center associations
To facilitate a safe procedure during pandemic, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has provided plastic surgeons with an extensive list of recommendations to ensure that everyone stays healthy:
- Make use of virtual consultations; limit in-office visits when possible.
- Proper screenings for possible COVID-19 symptoms should be done on staff and patients. These include:
- Temperature checks
- Screenings for respiratory symptoms
- Checking travel and potential exposure prior to clinic entry
- Following social distancing guidelines in waiting rooms and other areas by reducing the number of patients that are booked for in-office visits
- Avoiding shared space wherever possible, including waiting rooms
- Correct use of full personal protective equipment (PPE) by all staff members
- Use of masks and face coverings by everyone in the facility (staff and patients)
- Wearing of face masks bystaff and patients
- Building shields (plexiglass) between front office staff and patients
- Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of all areas, between patient visits
- Implementing full air exchange in the Operating Room for air recirculation according to CDC standards
You can confidently and safely schedule a plastic surgery procedure in a practice that follows all these safety measures.
If you are considering plastic surgery in NYC, schedule a virtual consultation in an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice that has surgeons who are experts in the procedure you are seeking. Such practices adhere to the highest safety standards and also meet the additional health and safety standards required during the current public health emergency.
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