COVID-19 testing discontinued by AIIMS Delhi before inpatient hospitalizations, surgeries

New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on Wednesday announced the discontinuation of routine COVID-19 testing before inpatient hospitalizations, surgeries and non-interventional procedures.

AIIMS medical superintendent Dr. D K Sharma, through a circular, requested the chiefs and in-charges of all centres, clinical and diagnostic departments to bring to the notice of all faculty/resident doctors/technical staff and nursing staff that "this is no longer required for any such routine COVID-19 testing prior to any inpatient hospitalization and/or any invasive/non-invasive procedure/imaging on any patient".

According to the circular issued by AIIMS Delhi , This will be applicable to both regular and daycare hospitalizations, minor and major surgeries/ interventional, non-interventional procedures and imaging in clinically asymptomatic patients/ including OPD and Emergency patients along with those who were earlier COVID-19 positive but have recovered and been transferred to the inpatient ward for continued treatment

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"In accordance with current ICMR's national guidelines, it has been decided to discontinue with routine COVID-19 testing prior to inpatient hospitalizations (regular as well as day care) and also prior to any minor or major surgical/interventional/ non-interventional procedures and imaging in clinically asymptomatic patients, including OPD/emergency patients as well as those patients who were earlier COVID-19 positive and have since recovered and transferred to the parent department's inpatient ward for continued treatment," the circular read.

This decision has been taken in accordance with the current Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) national guidelines.

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