Elective Surgeries
The Ohio Department of Health has issued an order declaring that elective surgeries and procedures in Ohio's hospitals, as well as in outpatient surgery or procedure provider offices, be postponed in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders. The order will go into effect at the end of business on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORDER.
According to the guidelines, surgeries or procedures will be delayed unless there is a:
- Threat to the patient’s life if surgery or procedure is not performed
- Threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system
- Risk of metastasis or progression of staging
- Risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms
In order to preserve PPE, only individuals who are essential to conducting the surgery or procedure shall be in the surgery or procedure suite or other patient care areas where PPE is required. Each hospital and outpatient surgery or procedure provider shall establish an internal governance structure to ensure the principles outlined above are followed.
Available PPE
Any available personal protective equipment, such as gloves or masks can be donated to help the State of Ohio prepare for a hospital surge. If your office or business has available items, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA). A listing of OHIO COUNTY EMAs CAN BE FOUND HERE.
Testing
Patients should be encouraged to receive a phone-based triage, which in most cases will be done by their primary care provider. Based on these phone consultations, and utilizing CDC guidance, providers will decide whether patients require an in-person assessment.
Hospital Assessment Locations Will be Coordinating the Testing:
- Temporary central assessment and testing locations are being established throughout the state of Ohio.
- Providers should contact the local hospital to which you would refer a patient for admission to learn where your community’s assessment and testing location is.
If that hospital is not yet able to test, the provider should contact their local health department. A listing of LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.