Crouse has Resumed Outpatient Elective Surgeries and Procedures
May 4, 2020
On Thursday, May 7, Crouse Health resumed outpatient elective surgeries and procedures following criteria set by Executive Order 202.10 issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Crouse had temporarily halted elective procedures on March 17 — days ahead of a state mandate calling for cancellation — for the safety of patients, staff and visitors and to create capacity for COVID-19 patients.
With statewide numbers of hospitalized COVID-19 patients decreasing, the state began permitting hospitals in regions without significant risk of a COVID-19 surge, including Onondaga County, to resume elective outpatient surgeries and procedures.
“Crouse has been working collaboratively with physician and administrative leadership from surgical services, cardiac services, neurosciences, interventional radiology and infection control on a phased-in plan to resume elective outpatient surgeries and procedures,” says Crouse Health Chief Operating Officer/Chief Medical Officer Seth Kronenberg, MD. The hospital’s re-start plan was developed with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Crouse has maintained adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) available and has had the capacity to accommodate elective outpatient surgery volume, according to Dr. Kronenberg. Stringent infection control prevention and patient safety protocols were put in place.
“The state lifted restrictions due to the low COVID-19 transmission rate within Onondaga County,” states Dr. Kronenberg. “As people resume activities, Crouse will remain prepared at all times in the event of increased COVID-19 activity in the community and surrounding area.”
“As we resumed this service for our patients, we have been doing our part to reassure the community,” said Dr. Kronenberg. “With the enhanced infection control prevention and patient safety protocols put in place over the last two months, Crouse continues to provide the same high-quality, compassionate care we have been known for since 1887.”
Ongoing precautions at Crouse to keep patients, staff, visitors and the community safe include:
- screening temperature checks at entry points of all Crouse locations
- health screening questions at all entry points
- mandatory wearing of a surgical mask
- restricted visitation per NYS Department of Health guidelines
- practicing appropriate social distancing
- increased use of telehealth
- enhanced deep cleaning and disinfection in all clinical areas
Patients who had cancelled procedures were contacted to reschedule, said Thomas Hartzheim, MD, chief of surgery for Crouse Health. “Resuming elective outpatient surgeries has given patients access to necessary treatment for significant underlying conditions.”
Under the state’s directive, patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures are required to be tested for COVID-19 three days prior to their procedure and will be encouraged to limit contact with others between the test and their procedure.
Patients are encouraged to contact their surgeon or primary care physician for more information and scheduling details.