Elective Surgeries Ban Lifted in PA

According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, hospitals may begin to allow elective admissions and may begin performing elective surgeries and procedures if the hospital makes an affirmative decision that it is able to do so without jeopardizing the safety of patients and staff or the hospital’s ability to respond to the COVID19 emergency. In determining whether a hospital is able to support elective admissions, surgeries and procedures, the hospital must review the Joint Statement issued by the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Association of perioperative Registered Nurses, and American Hospital Association and consider the operational guidance described therein. Hospitals that provide pediatric treatment and care should additionally review the guidance from the Children’s Hospital Association of the United States when determining whether to proceed with pediatric elective surgeries and procedures. Hospitals that begin to perform elective surgeries and procedures must update their Emergency Preparedness Plans to reflect that such surgeries and procedures have resumed if suspension of such surgeries and procedures was reflected in their plans. Hospitals must also update their initial PSRS report to indicate that those surgeries and procedures are no longer suspended. Hospitals do not need approval from the Department to begin allowing elective admissions or performing elective surgeries or procedures.