Operation protocols - self-isolating, who it protects and for how long - help me understand it??

[loveyouradvice]

Hi... So confused by this

I'm going to have an operation under sedation/local anaesthetic so have been told to self-isolate for 7 days before, and have a Covid test 2 days before... and then nothing afterwards.

Great if this really is so, but can't quite see who it protects and how? Surely they need a longer window??

I've been told for a general anaesthetic it is 14 days.

My partner had an operation at the end of June. He wasn't told to isolate for 14 days prior to it, but it wasn't urgent and could have been delayed if he had covid. He had a test 2 days before, after which we all isolated (including keeping child off school for the day) until he went into hospital. It's protecting staff and protecting other patients I assume.

It protects the person having the op — if you get Covid you don’t get the op.

It protects the staff the patient comes into contact with.

It protects other patients the patient comes into contact with.

I had to isolate 14 days before my recent op and 14 days afterwards too.

I had this recently but isolate for 14 days before just for a local \sedation. Also tested for covid 2 days before. But nothing for after which thought was strange.

Thinking about it, the after isolation might only be if the op puts you at higher risk should you catch Covid.

My husband and I had to isolate for 14 days before his procedure in a private hospital and he had a test a couple of days before. He wasn't told to isolate afterwards, but we were pretty much isolating anyway at that point.

Isloation afterwards will depend on the Covid status of the hospital you visited more than anything. Clearly after some procedures there may be a medical reason to isolate for a short period as it would be particularly dangerous to catch the virus but a 14 day period of isolation after a hospital visit is usually to stop you spreading the virus rather than catching it.

Okay..... that helps.... But still surprised only 7 days before as I thought it could take up to 14 days to catch it from someone.....