Sign In
Free Newsletter
Penn State Health suspends non-essential surgeries during COVID-19 threat
Ioannis Pashakis//March 18, 2020
Penn State Health suspends non-essential surgeries during COVID-19 threat
Ioannis Pashakis//March 18, 2020
Beginning Thursday, Penn State Health will suspend non-essential surgeries due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hershey-based health system asked its surgeons to review their operating room schedules and cancel all non-essential, elective procedures.
“It is important to note that the term ‘elective’ when used to describe surgical care is extremely broad in scope,” said Dr. Peter Dillon, executive vice president and chief clinical officer, Penn State Health. “There are some procedures we perform that may appear to be routine but that, if canceled, could result in significant negative impact on a patient’s health. This is why case-by-case reviews are vital.”
The move is part of the system’s preventative measures as coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continue to rise, allowing Penn State Health hospitals to reserve their medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
The system said that it will continue to provide urgent and essential surgical care for all patients who need it.
