Update on biological risk for anesthetists taking care of patients affected by SARS-CoV2, COVID19

Abstract

Biological risks are currently of great interest and concern due to the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this setting, the exposure of anesthetists and healthcare personnel to patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 in their professional practice makes an update in the knowledge of the subject essential. The aim is prevention and protection during procedures entailing a higher risk, as is the case of the so-called aerosol generators (by inhalation of droplets). Therefore, we recommend extreme standard precautions focused on hand washing and barrier protection through the use of personal protective equipment in accordance with comprehensive prevention and protection protocols for anesthetists, patients, and operating rooms.