Spencer Hospital Resumes Limited Elective Surgeries

posted on Friday, May 8, 2020 in COVID-19

Spencer Hospital Surgery Center will resume same day surgical procedures on a limited basis Monday, May 11.

“The hospital and its medical staff have developed a plan which takes measured steps to reopen elective procedures,” explained hospital president Bill Bumgarner. “We’re anxious to meet the health needs of our patients, yet with a first priority to focus on patient and healthcare provider safety during the COVID-19 public health emergency.”

Safety protocols will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• All patients considered for elective surgery will be carefully prescreened. In addition to a traditional physical and health history assessment, each patient will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Upon entering Spencer Hospital or any of the clinics for a scheduled procedure, patients will be asked to wear cloth masks and will be screened again for COVID-19 symptoms.
• All care team members will wear surgical masks and protective eye wear or face shields, as well as other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed when caring for a patient.
• Current temporary visitor restrictions remain in place. For surgery procedures, one parent or guardian may accompany a patient under the age of 18.  Patients 18 and older will be asked to have someone transport them to the hospital and be prepared to transport the patient home afterwards, yet not accompany them into the facility. All surgical patients are encouraged to have a contact person whom the care team can keep informed regarding the patient’s procedure and contact when the patient is ready to be released and transported home.  

In addition to the patient safety measures, Spencer Hospital remains prepared to cease elective procedures if a surge of COVID-19 cases develops in the area, supply chain limitations impact critical supply inventory or hospital employees must be reassigned to higher priority care assignments.    

“The Spencer medical community looks forward to increase service access in a responsible way,” Bumgarner said. “Since the outset of the pandemic, the hospital has continued to provide essential healthcare services.  As some elective procedures are resumed, an emphasis will continue to keep precautions in place to protect patients.  This includes continuing to limit the number of people who enter our healthcare facilities and using additional protective measures as recommended by disease control experts.”

He added: “Until an effective vaccine is developed, the community can support all healthcare workers by being mindful of social distancing and other preventative measures.  By joining to together to limit the spread of the coronavirus, Spencer Hospital will be able to most effectively ensure optimal care to patients who may require care due to the virus.”