The low prevalence of COVID-19 in Australia means it is not appropriate or necessary to test all patients for COVID-19 prior to elective surgery, investigations or procedures.
Instead, screening for clinical and epidemiological risk of COVID-19, based on the current Australian definition of a probable or suspect case, is recommended as part of assessment of the patient prior to determining that they are eligible to be considered for elective surgery, investigations or procedures. This screening supports appropriate PPE use and assessment of risks to health system capacity associated with the planned surgery, investigation or procedure.
Depending on local rates of community transmission, individual states and territories may recommend testing to manage risks for patients, healthcare workers and health service organisations. The mortality and morbidity rates for patients who have COVID-19 undergoing both elective and emergency surgery are higher than otherwise expected, even when such surgery is relatively minor. Therefore, it is usually safer to postpone elective surgery for someone who is symptomatic or who tests positive for COVID-19. Emergency surgery should not be delayed either because a patient is a COVID-19 case or while waiting for a test result where there is additional risk to the patient's clinical condition.