To Our Patients Waiting for Surgery,
We have been given approval from Governor Herbert, as well as St. Mark’s Hospital, to begin performing elective surgeries effective Monday April 27th, 2020. This will be done in a “measured and cautious way”. Safety to all involved is still of utmost importance.
“Loosening the restriction doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over, or people should stop taking precautions like social distancing, Herbert said, while noting the situation in Utah seems to be moving in the right direction”
Here is our selection process for surgery:
We are first considering those patients who have been on our waiting list for the longest period of time. These patients will be “scored” by our medical staff, using specific risk factor categories relating to their health as well as the specific type of surgery. Only patients who fit into a certain “low risk” category will continue with the screening process.
Those patients in that low category will then be screened by both RMAP, as well as St. Mark’s staff through a series of questions relating to their health and potential COVID-19 exposure. Patients successfully passing these screens will then be scheduled for surgery. It is also likely that patients might be tested prior to surgery to see if they have the virus. Should the patient test positive, their surgery will be canceled.
Patients who do not qualify through the screening process will be placed back on the list and considered at a later time when the hospital requirements are loosened.
LDS hospital has not given any direction on opening their hospital yet to elective surgeries. When this occurs, we will be using the same protocol for evaluation patients for scheduling surgery.
For patients who have completed their insurance criteria and have not yet seen the doctor for their consultation, we will be starting those “in clinic” visits effective 4-27-2020. We are limiting these to 6 patients per doctor per week, to remain within our new office guidelines of social distancing. Patients will be selected by using our list of who has been waiting the longest and considering risk factors.
Our Telehealth follow up visits will continue until further notice.
It is our hope that we can find a balance of safety and surgery volume, while proceeding in a fair and calculated manner. We ask for your patience as you are waiting for something very important in your life. Please be understanding of our selection process. We will contact you when it is your turn to be considered for surgery. There is no need to call the office since we will not have any information to give you relating to the expected time of your surgery.
Should you need advanced notice regarding your surgery date, so that you can take time off, or coordinate other issues, this can certainly be accomplished. When you are contacted to schedule your surgery, ask for a timeframe that works for you, even if it’s months away.
We are excited to once again be helping others with this wonderful surgery.
Respectfully,
Ray Wilde
Practice Administrator