This report details a decision tree algorithm that may help guide decisions for protecting health care workers during surgery in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the risk of infection with COVID-19 to healthcare workers, a team developed an institutional algorithm to protect operating room team members and conserve personal protective equipment (PPE). A taskforce convened by hospital and medical school leadership developed a common algorithm for PPE use in interventional prodcedures.

They developed guidelines based on potential patterns of spread, risk of exposure and conservation of PPE. They presented this in a decision tree algorithm that is based on urgency of operation,
anticipated viral burden at the surgical site, opportunity for virus to be aerosolized, and likelihood a patient was infected.