Pre-Surgical COVID-19 Testing at Neinstein Plastic Surgery
At Neinstein Plastic Surgery our goal is to keep you safe. With resuming elective procedures right around the corner our goal is to transition into the new normal safer than ever!
Testing at Our Practice
To prevent infection World Health Organization advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene. At Neinstein Plastic Surgery, COVID-19 testing will be done in the office prior to any procedure. As we all know there are so many tests available and it can be confusing trying to figure out which ones make sense and which ones are reliable. Our practice incorporated guidance from three primary sources to make the safest decision for our patients.
- The best data was presented in the New England Journal of Medicine for a nasopharyngeal swab. The difference between a simple nasal swab and a nasalpharygeal swab is that these swabs go farther back into the throat to wear the virus has been more predictably found to live. While it can be uncomfortable, it only takes a second and is most accurate. It is also supported by both the CDC and the Department of Health in New York. We feel confident that this is the best way to protect our patients and staff.
We will be conducting this test a few days in advance of your procedure. Key take aways from our discussions with scientists and thought leaders in surgery is during the interval time between the swab and the procedure patients should do the best they can do quarantine themselves so they do not inadvertently get the virus in the interval few days.
A few extra things can be done to theoretically reduce the chance of getting the virus. This includes the use of an alcohol-free mouth wash frequently and a sinus rinse. Both of these can be done three times a day and are easily available at your local pharmacy.
A swab will be done 48 hours in advance in office and results will be available from the swab test in four hours. A positive result indicates that viral genetic material is present, but it does not indicate that bacterial or other infections also are present. A negative result indicates that the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease was not found.
In addition, we will continue to check temperatures with state-of-the-art thermometers and monitor for all COVID-19 symptoms including, but not limited to shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell etc.
Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?
To schedule an appointment for the coming weeks please complete our contact form today or call 212.249.0949. Neinstein Plastic Surgery is a leading plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in New York’s Upper East Side.