Centralized coordinated governmental action is critical during the resurgence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to three national health care organizations. In a joint letter sent November 23 to federal government leaders by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the three organizations call upon the federal government "to act collectively and quickly in support of hospitals and health care providers as they continue to struggle in response to the ongoing pandemic."

The letter highlights three areas of focus in its call to support health care providers, COVID-19 patients, and their families:

- health care worker well-being and staffing issues

- federally coordinated deployment of supplies medications and vital equipment

- increased communication and vaccine distribution plan transparency

The letter follows the release of updated guidance for health care facilities entitled, "Joint Statement: Roadmap for Maintaining Essential Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic." The ACS, AORN, and ASA are among the organizations that contributed to the updated roadmap. The document addresses the dual need to meet health care demands for patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 as well as care for patients who need essential surgical services. The roadmap also points out that the "need for centralized coordinated governmental action to deploy necessary supplies and alleviate the financial burden on physician practices, health care providers and facilities is critical so the health care community can continue to meet the increasing demands for care of COVID-19 patients both in the operating rooms and throughout the facility."

Read the November 23 letter from ACS, AORN, and ASA to Vice President Mike Pence, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, President-Elect Joe Biden, and other top officials HERE.

The updated Joint Roadmap document is available HERE.