As surge plans are activated at Schneck in response to rising COVID cases, some surgeries that require an inpatient admission after surgery, but can be safely postponed, may be delayed. The postponements come in response to the surge in cases of COVID-19 and subsequent hospitalizations in our communities.
These postponements will allow Schneck Medical Center to conserve intensive medicine resources, such hospital beds and supplies. Additionally, this will allow for reassignment of caregivers to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID hospitalized patients.
Any patient affected by this will be directly notified and given further instructions.
“This is part of Schneck’s surge plan that was developed months ago at the beginning of the pandemic. We will reassess the situation daily to determine if we need to extend or expand postponements,” said Eric Fish, MD, President & CEO of Schneck. “This decision was made in the interest of community safety. It is a necessary and appropriate step given the sharp spike in hospitalizations for patients with COVID-19.”
Any postponed procedures will be rescheduled after the COVID surge subsides. Schneck will continue to provide care for urgent situations and emergency patients, according to Ryan Stone, DO, Schneck’s Chief Medical Officer.
“Our intent is to continue to provide surgical care where possible and make adjustments as needed as our resources get stressed,” said Dr. Stone. “As we see a drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations, we will be able conserve resources, ease staffing concerns, and resume our standard surgical operations.”
Schneck is asking the community to mask up, social distance, wash hands, and stay home when they are sick to help slow the spread of disease. “This is as dire a situation as we have seen since this pandemic began. We urge anyone who has not been vaccinated to do so to keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe and to reduce the risk of hospitalization,” commented Dr. Fish.