<p>Routine testing patients for Covid-19 before major surgery could reduce the risk of respiratory complications and save lives, a new study revealed. <br />Researchers working together around the world found that using a nasal swab test to confirm that asymptomatic patient was not infected with SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a lower rate of postoperative complications. <br />The main benefit was seen before major surgery and areas with a higher rate of Covid-19. <br />Swab testing gave an opportunity for surgeons to identify asymptomatic infected patients and postpone their operation, avoiding the severe risk of Covid-19 complications after surgery. <br />Routine testing also helped to prevent cross-infection from patients with no symptoms to other elective surgical patients upon admission to hospital. <br />The CovidSurg toolkit will support individual hospitals, regions, and countries during a major global reorganisation of surgical services during the pandemic and beyond.</p>
