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Table 2 What are the moments to remember?

From: Timing of surgery and elective perioperative management of patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection: a SIAARTI expert consensus statement

Key points for adult patient

Ten days before your surgery date

If you test positive, or have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, you should not proceed with elective surgery because you could infect other people and be exposed to higher risk of complications at the same time

Between 10 days and 7 weeks before your surgery date

•To reduce the personal risk, remember the social distancing, wear a mask, keep the windows open, or make sure you meet others outdoors

•If you test positive, you should notify your healthcare team

•It may be necessary to postpone the planned surgery

•Doctors will evaluate your case to determine if it is more risky to postpone or proceed to surgery

Anytime before surgery

•Please try to keep yourself in good health and ready to face the surgery

•Complete the vaccination course, including the third booster dose. Vaccination reduces both the chance of developing COVID-19 and the chances of transmitting the infection, and it also reduces the severity of the disease

•Regular exercise, proper nutrition, and stopping smoking are measures that can reduce complications related to surgery by 30 to 80%. More information is available at the following address: www.cpoc.org.uk/patients

  1. (E-Table 3 in the Additional file 1: Steps in the risk assessment process of adult patient)