Preporuke za primjenu neuroaksijalne anestezije i perifernih živčanih blokova tijekom pandemije koronavirusne bolesti 2019. (COVID-19)

The global COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on healthcare systems across the world Due to insufficient scientific research on the impact of the pandemic, the majority of recommendations on anaesthesia during the pandemic are based primarily on expert opinion During the pandemic, it is recommended to postpone all elective procedures and carry out only essential and urgent surgery and procedures, such as those for oncological surgery, and those whose aim is to prevent permanent disability or prevent other life-threatening conditions General anaesthesia is an aerosol generating procedure and therefore it is recommended to utilise regional anaesthesia whenever this is possible This document provides an overview of guidance for the administration of neuraxial anaesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia, with regard to the recommendations of the European and American societies for regional anaesthesia and pain medicine This guidance is aimed at preparation and planning of personnel, required personal protective and other equipment, medication, clinical environment strategy, oxygen supplementation strategy, safety assessment of regional anaesthesia procedures, and monitoring during and after surgery The implementation of these recommendations is crucial in preventing the spread of the pandemic for both the patients and medical personnel © 2020 Hrvatski Lijecnicki Zbor All rights reserved