Acute neurovascular care in the COVID era: Safety and resilience

Abstract

Introduction: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, much has changed in the protocol for management of healthcare setups and patients presenting with any illness including neurological and neurosurgical emergencies. Patients are themselves deterred from visiting a hospital in an emergency, and healthcare workers require stringent precautions and plans to prevent the spread of the virus to themselves and others, without compromising on the care that is to be provided. Aims and objectives: To outline the importance of identifying neurological emergencies requiring urgent intervention even in the time of a pandemic, and methods to effectively manage patients without compromising on safety and infection prevention measures. Materials: Guidelines reviewed from existing literature and retrospective analysis of management protocol and care delivered in a neurovascular unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Conclusion: Acute neurovascular care should not be compromised upon even during a pandemic, but neither should the safety of healthcare workers. Safety guidelines and protocols require strict adherence.