INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Ascension St. Vincent announced Sunday evening that it will cancel all non-urgent surgeries to ensure the hospital's resources for emergent health needs.
"As cases of COVID-19 increase, Ascension St. Vincent continues to diligently monitor the situation to ensure we are protecting our patients, employees and communities," St. Vincent said in a press release. "The following guidance was provided to our clinicians to assist in helping to manage their existing patients, protect against potential COVID-19 exposure and ensure the availability of resources to meet emergent health needs."
Starting Tuesday, March 17, all elective non-urgent surgeries will be canceled at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis.
Ascension St. Vincent says it is following the guidance of the CDC, Surgeon General, and American College of Surgeons which have recommended limiting elective services.
Non-urgent procedures that would require Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care:
Examples of qualifying procedures include non-critical cardiac or neurosurgical procedures where deferral of care will not present risk of patient harm.
Elective procedures that will occupy an inpatient bed:
Examples of qualifying procedures include:
- Elective procedures on high risk-patients: joint replacement on an elderly patient, non-urgent electrophysiology (EP) procedures (ablations)
- Elective procedures on any patients: cosmetic surgery, bariatric procedures, non-malignant colorectal cases
Visitor Restrictions and Entrances at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis
- All patients and visitors at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis are directed to enter via Door 1 ONLY.
- All patients at Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital will enter through the main entrance.
- All patients and visitors will be screened for the presence of fever and respiratory symptoms. Visitors will also be screened to identify if they currently reside in a county where positive cases have been identified.
- Any symptomatic patients will be masked and quarantined until the physician is notified.
- All Operating Room (OR) employees, including anesthesiologists and surgeons, will be screened starting Monday, March 16, 2020, in the OR.
Inpatient surgery
- Patients having inpatient surgery will be allowed one visitor upon arrival for their procedure.
- Once the procedure is completed and the physician has spoken to the designee, the visitor will need to exit the hospital.
- Attempts will be made to allow for virtual communication between patient and family prior to family departure.
Outpatient surgery
For patients having an outpatient procedure, the visitor will be allowed to stay with the patient until discharge.
Pediatric surgery
Children 17 and younger will be permitted to have one parent or guardian stay with them post procedure.
