Currently, many people who are going to have scheduled surgeries or other invasive medical procedures will receive new guidelines regarding previous care to be adopted, in addition to those that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic for the same procedures. These guidelines are intended to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which causes COVID-19, and to monitor the state of health before the scheduled procedures, so that they can be performed with the usual safety and that recovery takes place within normal parameters. What additional precautions can be indicated? You may be advised to remain in confinement until the day scheduled for your surgery or procedure. In this case, you should stay at home and not leave. You can only leave home if you need hospital care for any urgent care. You must not leave it under any other circumstances. Confinement may not be advised to you, either for reasons related to the procedure or your particular circumstances. In both cases, confinement or not, several protective precautions may be indicated: Do not share your home with people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, who are under surveillance for suspected infection or who have symptoms of respiratory disease. Do not share home with pets. Preferably, stay in a room separated from other people living with you. Choose a room in the house where the door can be closed and that has a window to open and allow air to circulate. If possible, sleep in a room alone. If that is not possible, do not share your bed. If possible, use a bathroom just for you. If this is not possible, the bathroom must be disinfected before you use it. Do not share personal hygiene products and items, such as soaps, towels or others. Use a soap or shower gel exclusively for you, and if you share the bathroom, be the first to bathe after it is disinfected. Avoid being in the same space as other people you live with, including at mealtimes. If this is not possible, always keep a distance of more than 1.5 meters from anyone present. Wash your hands frequently, always do it before eating, after using toilets and contact surfaces in common use. Water and common soap are sufficient to wash your hands, as long as you do it for a minimum of 20 seconds and follow the washing instructions of the Direção Geral da Saúde. Correct and regular hand hygiene is one of the essential preventive measures against Covid-19. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth without your hands previously washed or disinfected with an alcoholic disinfectant solution. Never sneeze or cough into your hands, do it to the front of your elbow. Use handkerchiefs, put them in the trash can or toilet immediately and then wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid sharing household objects - for example, plates, glasses, cutlery, headphones, keyboards, controls and other electronic equipment, towels and sheets - with people living in the same house. The dishes must be washed with hot water and detergent or in the dishwasher at a temperature above 60 o C. Reinforce the cleaning of frequently touched places, objects and surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, switches, flushing handles, taps, television controls, mobile phones and other electronic equipment, among others. The cleaning products commonly used are sufficient or, alternatively, 70% alcohol or bleach solution. If you live alone, avoid going to dump the trash in the common container of the building or on the public road, ask for the support of another person for this purpose, always without direct contact with that person. Try to use clothes and household linen (sheets, towels, among others) that can be washed in the machine at a temperature of at least 60 o C with common detergent, which can be complemented by activating agents containing oxygen. Check the washing instructions on the pieces labels. Maintain a good hydration, eat regularly and exercise moderately, but only indoors or in a private garden, keeping the distance rules mentioned. When traveling between your home and the hospital, avoid using public transport. Always wear a disposable surgical mask on these trips and put it on before leaving the house. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on the mask and after removing it, discarding it immediately after use, and never touch the face or the mask. If you are going to have your surgery or procedure at Hospital da Luz: Follow all general guidelines and therapeutic indications and other specific guidelines that have been transmitted to you by your attending physician and the clinical team at Hospital da Luz. Make the records that you have been asked to, for example of body temperature and symptoms, in the morning and at night, in MY LUZ or in the document that was given to you for that purpose. Communicate to your attending physician any complaints or symptoms that arise at any time or information relevant to the procedure you are going to perform. If you have a fever - a temperature of 38 o C or more - or a cough or difficulty breathing or any other symptom you did not have before, immediately inform your attending doctor at Hospital da Luz and, before going to the hospital, contact LUZ 24 (217 104 424) or the SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24). In situations of shortness of breath or altered consciousness, call 112. Do not hesitate to ask your attending physician for any clarifications you may need and to communicate any relevant information, doubts or symptoms that arise before the procedure and / or after its completion and discharge. Click here for more information and advice of Hospital da Luz about COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
