Ohio hospitals will be required to postpone most elective surgeries and procedures under a new mandate from the Ohio Department of Health, Fox19Now.com reports.
Four things to know:
1. Surgeries and procedures must be delayed after the end of business March 18, except when a delay:
- Poses a threat to the patient's life
- Could cause permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system
- Causes risk of metastasis or staging progression
- Could cause the patient's condition to severely worsen
2. Under the mandate, only individuals essential to performing a surgery or procedure are permitted to be in patient care areas where personal protective equipment is required.
3. The mandate is meant to conserve personal protective equipment, which is in "critically short" supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated amount of personal protective equipment that Ohio healthcare workers need is equal to the amount currently available nationally.
4. Hospitals and outpatient surgery providers must establish internal plans to ensure they're postponing procedures and conserving personal protective equipment in accordance with the state guidelines.
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