HCA hospitals halt elective surgeries again
In response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and to increase bed capacity, several HCA hospitals in Central Florida will temporarily halt elective procedures starting Thursday.
The hospitals include Central Florida Regional Hospital, Osceola Regional Medical Center, Oviedo Medical Center and Poinciana Medical Center.
“This measure will be implemented as part of established hospital surge plans and is being done to ensure our care teams can continue to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to our patients experiencing both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 health concerns,” said HCA Healthcare North Florida officials in an email statement.
Central Florida’s two largest health systems — AdventHealth and Orlando Health — have so far not announced a halt to their elective procedures. AdventHealth officials said last week that they’re evaluating them.
Elective procedures are surgeries that are not considered emergencies and can be postponed. They include orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacements, which are among major sources of income for hospitals.
At the beginning of the pandemic, in response to the shortage of personal protective equipment, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on March 20, banning all elective procedures in hospitals in Florida. That ban was lifted at the