• Jia Lin Jacklyn Yek, Sheng Chuu Anne Kiew, James Chi-Yong Ngu, and Jimmy Guan Cheng Lim.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
• Korean J Anesthesiol. 2020 Dec 1; 73 (6): 557-561.

BackgroundAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spreads globally, hospitals are rushing to adapt their facilities, which were not designed to deal with infections adequately. Here, we present the management of a suspected COVID-19 patient.CaseA 66-year-old man with a recent travel history, infective symptoms, and chest X-ray was presented to our hospital. Considering his septic condition, we decided to perform an emergency surgery. The patient was given supplemental oxygen through a face mask and transported to an operating theatre on a plastic-covered trolley. An experienced anesthetist performed rapid sequence intubation using a video laryngoscope. Due to the initial presentation of respiratory distress, the patient remained intubated after surgery to avoid re-intubation. Precautions against droplet, contact, and airborne infection were instituted.ConclusionsOur objective was to facilitate surgical management of patients with known or suspected COVID-19 while minimizing the risk of nosocomial transmission to healthcare workers and other patients.

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