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The Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center said recently it has resumed elective surgeries and outpatient procedures, which became effective on June 23.
“Through the pandemic, JFL has performed urgent and emergent surgical cases, however, all other patients planning to have surgery or a procedure have had to place their medical care on hold. Elective does not mean the surgery is not necessary," said Dyma Williams, acting JFL CEO. "It means that the surgery is planned and scheduled with advance notice. We are very happy to be able to, again, provide our community with the medical services they need to live safe, comfortable, and healthy lives. The JFL team is proud to reinstate these services to our community.”
The hospital said elective surgeries were temporarily restricted at JFL and across the country to conserve hospital beds, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies.
Before resuming elective surgeries at the hospital, the first step was to ensure adequate resources are available. “Our resources have remained stable, making us well positioned to care for patients’ elective surgical needs. We thank the community for partnering with us in this effort," Ms. Williams said.
JFL said in preparation for the return of elective surgeries, its leadership developed a plan for safely delivering care in the surgical setting and developing new safety protocols for the safety of patients undergoing procedures involving anesthesia, which include:
- All persons entering JFL are required to wear a mask.
- All patients are screened for COVID-19 and are required to self-quarantine
- until their scheduled procedure. Elective procedures are postponed if a patient tests positive.
- Pre-operative surgical/procedural anesthesia interviews with the patient are completed by phone, with anesthesia physical assessments completed the day of the procedure.
- Visitation remains prohibited. In order to limit the number of people in the hospital waiting areas, one (1) support person is permitted for patients age 17 and younger, laboring mothers, NICU patients and patients who are incapacitated.
- Physicians and staff are screened daily and wear the recommended personal protective equipment at all times.
- Additional cleaning and disinfection measures are being performed in the operating rooms, waiting rooms and common areas.
Patients who wish to reschedule or schedule their elective surgery or outpatient procedure should contact their surgeon/physician.
