Providence hospitals in Columbia resuming elective, non-urgent surgeries
Providence Health hospitals in Columbia will resume some elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were delayed to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has threatened to overwhelm health care centers across the country.
However, area hospitals have seen fewer COVID-19 patients than expected, meaning less strain on medical resources, Providence officials said in a news release Friday announcing that some procedures will be reinstated.
“The decision to reschedule procedures when clinically appropriate was made in accordance with federal and state guidance, and aimed to help preserve critical resources in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients in the community,” the news release said.
Providence Health, which operates hospitals on Forest Drive in Columbia and in northeast Columbia and a freestanding emergency room in Fairfield County, will gradually resume elective and non-urgent procedures, as it takes additional precautions in its facilities and continues to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 infections and spread in the community.
Lexington Medical Center announced similar plans on Friday.
At first, Providence hospitals will focus on scheduling patients whose procedures are most time-sensitive.
“Patients who are scheduled and approved for procedures must meet specific requirements, including passing standard COVID-19 screenings,” according to the news release.
In addition to being screened for COVID-19, surgical patients will be asked to:
- Practice “safer at home” behaviors for a week before their procedure;
- Check their temperature twice a day for a week before their procedure;
- Report temperatures of 100-degrees or higher to their doctor.
Patients with previously postponed procedures can expect to hear from their doctor’s office to discuss rescheduling.
No visitors will be allowed at Providence facilities “for the foreseeable future,” and everyone in patient-care areas must wear masks, keeping with current procedures.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 12:33 PM.
