Hospitals weigh elective surgeries amid coronavirus
As new coronavirus cases are discovered statewide, Tennessee hospital officials must decide how much of their normal functions can continue while medical professionals respond to the pandemic.
During a national address Tuesday morning, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx told patients with elective procedures already scheduled that now may be the time to consider voluntarily rescheduling those procedures to free up beds and, potentially, ventilators in hospitals across the county.
“If you’re a person with an elective surgery, you don’t want to go to a hospital right now,” Birx said, adding that it is “responsible” to cancel.
An elective procedure is scheduled in advance and is not considered urgent. If postponed, it would not put a patient’s life or health in jeopardy.
Birx did not provide guidance to help hospitals decide if they should proactively begin canceling non-emergency procedures. Across Tennessee, hospitals are varied in their responses.
In Davidson County, where 42 cases were reported by Tuesday afternoon, Vanderbilt University Medical Center says it will continue all hospital operations, including elective surgeries.
“As an academic medical center, VUMC offers many highly specialized adult and pediatric services that no other center in the region does,” said John Howser, chief communications officer for VUMC. “We have made the decision to maintain normal operations for now so that we can continue to serve all patients who rely on our care.”
Howser added that as of Monday evening, cases of the coronavirus in Middle Tennessee have been low and only two coronavirus patients had been hospitalized at VUMC. Both have since been discharged.
“If matters should worsen, decisions to cancel surgery would be made on a case-by-case basis as a partnership between the individual surgeon and his/ her patient,” Howser said. “We are evaluating this on a constant basis and are prepared to make immediate changes as the situation requires.”
In Williamson County, where 21 cases have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon, Williamson Medical Center has already decided to cancel elective procedures beginning Wednesday while continuing other hospital operations.
“We remain fully equipped and able to handle all emergency and medically necessary procedures as we normally would,” spokesperson Kellie Walton Benz said. “Physicians and their staff will be contacting patients affected by this change, and will provide support as needed to these patients until procedures may be rescheduled.”
In Memphis, Methodist Lebonheur Healthcare has also decided to cancel elective procedures beginning Monday. Hospital staff will contact patients who had elective surgeries planned to provide more information.
Methodist has also decided to cancel routine screenings and diagnostics, including mammograms.
More changes could come as the hospital monitors how the conornavirus is spreading through the state, a statement from the hospital said.
Desiree Stennett can be reached at desiree.stennett@commercialap peal.com, 901-529-2738 or on Twitter: @desi_stennett.