General Guidance on Deferring Non-Urgent CV Testing and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ISTH Academy. 05/21/20; 9450
Label: External COVID-19 Resources
Description
With a primary goal of reducing the risk of infection/spread of COVID-19, protecting our patients and care teams, enhancing capacity to respond to the pandemic, and preserving access to necessary cardiovascular care, many clinics and hospitals have begun deferring non-urgent cardiovascular testing and procedures.
In general, it is reasonable to consider deferring any test or procedure that is unlikely to directly impact clinical care or outcomes over the next several months.
In keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to reschedule "non-urgent outpatient visits" and "elective surgeries as necessary," an effort has been made to identify tests and procedures that have the potential to be deferred. The following list represents a "starting point" for conversations on this topic.
This list is likely to change over time, depending on hospital capacity and staff availability, particularly in the setting of a COVID-19 surge. Whenever possible, preference should be given to testing that can be done by alternative means or remotely (e.g., interrogation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices).
Decisions about what tests/procedures to perform (or not perform) should be based on individualized risk assessment, informed by the patient's clinical status. Shared decision-making between patients and members of the care team represents an important component and as such, should be clearly documented in the medical record.
Disclaimer
Answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc. (“ISTH”) for voluntary, informational use by providers in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. ISTH provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information, including but not limited to its completeness or accuracy. ISTH specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ISTH assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete ISTH website Terms of Use.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by ISTH of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. ISTH does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations nor does ISTH make any representation of their accuracy or completeness. Please contact those websites with any questions.
In general, it is reasonable to consider deferring any test or procedure that is unlikely to directly impact clinical care or outcomes over the next several months.
In keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to reschedule "non-urgent outpatient visits" and "elective surgeries as necessary," an effort has been made to identify tests and procedures that have the potential to be deferred. The following list represents a "starting point" for conversations on this topic.
This list is likely to change over time, depending on hospital capacity and staff availability, particularly in the setting of a COVID-19 surge. Whenever possible, preference should be given to testing that can be done by alternative means or remotely (e.g., interrogation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices).
Decisions about what tests/procedures to perform (or not perform) should be based on individualized risk assessment, informed by the patient's clinical status. Shared decision-making between patients and members of the care team represents an important component and as such, should be clearly documented in the medical record.
Disclaimer
Answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc. (“ISTH”) for voluntary, informational use by providers in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. ISTH provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information, including but not limited to its completeness or accuracy. ISTH specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ISTH assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete ISTH website Terms of Use.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by ISTH of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. ISTH does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations nor does ISTH make any representation of their accuracy or completeness. Please contact those websites with any questions.
With a primary goal of reducing the risk of infection/spread of COVID-19, protecting our patients and care teams, enhancing capacity to respond to the pandemic, and preserving access to necessary cardiovascular care, many clinics and hospitals have begun deferring non-urgent cardiovascular testing and procedures.
In general, it is reasonable to consider deferring any test or procedure that is unlikely to directly impact clinical care or outcomes over the next several months.
In keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to reschedule "non-urgent outpatient visits" and "elective surgeries as necessary," an effort has been made to identify tests and procedures that have the potential to be deferred. The following list represents a "starting point" for conversations on this topic.
This list is likely to change over time, depending on hospital capacity and staff availability, particularly in the setting of a COVID-19 surge. Whenever possible, preference should be given to testing that can be done by alternative means or remotely (e.g., interrogation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices).
Decisions about what tests/procedures to perform (or not perform) should be based on individualized risk assessment, informed by the patient's clinical status. Shared decision-making between patients and members of the care team represents an important component and as such, should be clearly documented in the medical record.
Disclaimer
Answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc. (“ISTH”) for voluntary, informational use by providers in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. ISTH provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information, including but not limited to its completeness or accuracy. ISTH specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ISTH assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete ISTH website Terms of Use.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by ISTH of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. ISTH does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations nor does ISTH make any representation of their accuracy or completeness. Please contact those websites with any questions.
In general, it is reasonable to consider deferring any test or procedure that is unlikely to directly impact clinical care or outcomes over the next several months.
In keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to reschedule "non-urgent outpatient visits" and "elective surgeries as necessary," an effort has been made to identify tests and procedures that have the potential to be deferred. The following list represents a "starting point" for conversations on this topic.
This list is likely to change over time, depending on hospital capacity and staff availability, particularly in the setting of a COVID-19 surge. Whenever possible, preference should be given to testing that can be done by alternative means or remotely (e.g., interrogation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices).
Decisions about what tests/procedures to perform (or not perform) should be based on individualized risk assessment, informed by the patient's clinical status. Shared decision-making between patients and members of the care team represents an important component and as such, should be clearly documented in the medical record.
Disclaimer
Answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Inc. (“ISTH”) for voluntary, informational use by providers in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. ISTH provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information, including but not limited to its completeness or accuracy. ISTH specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ISTH assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete ISTH website Terms of Use.
The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by ISTH of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. ISTH does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations nor does ISTH make any representation of their accuracy or completeness. Please contact those websites with any questions.
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