Local hospitals are taking a step closer to normal operations. Southern Illinois Healthcare, SSM Health and Heartland Regional Medical Center have begun resuming elective surgeries at a reduced volume. Elective procedures include things like hip or knee replacements, some gynecological surgery and pain management procedures.
In accordance with state rules, all patients must have a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to surgery. Patients are also segregated from others in the hospital, to reduce opportunities for infection.
“A lot of people are just glad to be able to get these procedures taken care of so they can get back to their normal life, free of pain free of other issues that they may be suffering. I think most people are excited to be able to get out and move on with their normal life,” said Ed Cunningham, CEO of Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Cunningham said the numbers of surgeries have been increasing as patients become aware they can have these procedures performed.
SIH is limiting surgeries to 25 percent of their normal volume.
“We have gone to great lengths to minimize exposures or hospitals are a safe place to be. Some of the procedures that we put in place involve two separate entrances for staff and patients, rigorous cleaning and Infection Prevention and Control protocols, the screening at each site and each point of entry, just a plethora of things that we're doing to ensure that our patients and our staff are safe,” said Rossalind Rice, communications coordinator at SIH.
Urgent surgeries have continued during the coronavirus pandemic, and both SIH and Heartland Regional remind people to seek help if they are having symptoms of an emergency, like a stroke or heart attack.
