Rebuilding Your Practice

Guidance for Return to Practice for Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

As the United States transitions back toward more widespread delivery of healthcare and otolaryngologists expand their practice to include non-emergent and time-sensitive patients, they are seeking consistent guidance and principles to reinstitute diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, with the collaboration of the otolaryngology specialty societies, has developed recommendations for a safe return to practice that are being presented in two parts.

These will be “living documents” that will be updated on a regular basis as new information becomes available and thusly the information contained herein is subject to change on an ongoing basis.

“These documents were prepared by the AAO-HNS Future of Otolaryngology Task Force* with input from the Infectious Disease and Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committees. The AAO-HNS approached the specialty societies within otolaryngology to set up a collaborative process to produce guidance for otolaryngologists that would be consistent, practical, and implementable at the appropriate time, based on local conditions and regulatory guidance. The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA), American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA), American Laryngological Association (ALA), American Neurotology Society (ANS), American Otological Society (AOS), American Rhinologic Society (ARS), American Head and Neck Society (AHNS), American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO), and the International Surgical Sleep Society (ISSS) worked with the corresponding AAO-HNS Committee to submit recommendations from their respective areas of expertise. We are extremely grateful for the quick response and true collaborative spirit exhibited during this process. This is a perfect example of how a “We Are One” mentality can succeed and benefit the entire specialty. We will continue to provide you the resources you need for you, your practice, and your patients.”

James C. Denneny III, MD, AAO-HNS/F Executive Vice President and CEO

*Future of Otolaryngology Task Force:

Gavin Setzen, MD (Chair); Samantha Anne, MD; Eugene G. Brown III, MD; James C. Denneny III, MD; Marc G. Dubin, MD; Stacey L. Ishman, MD, MPH; Ronald B. Kuppersmith, MD, MBA; Richard V. Smith, MD