Pennsylvania officials issue guidance on resuming elective surgeries

Hospitals and surgical centers in Pennsylvania can resume elective procedures that have been halted for weeks by the coronavirus pandemic.

State Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said Monday such surgeries and procedures may begin again as long as hospitals still would be ready for a potential surge in covid-19 cases.

“We know that many Pennsylvanians have had to delay important elective procedures and operations, but it was necessary to ensure that our health care system had enough capacity in case it became overwhelmed with patients with covid-19,” Levine said.

Facilities must be sure they have enough personal protective equipment to deal not only with the elective procedures but also any possible increase in covid-19 cases. In addition, they cannot take on so many surgeries that, if a surge happens, the facility would be forced to prioritize some care over others.

“We’ve been working very closely with our hospital partners to safely ensure Pennsylvanians who need treatment not related to covid-19 can get it,” Levine said.

Paul Wood, spokesman for UPMC, said the health system is pleased with the state’s decision and the guidelines laid out. UPMC was one of the last providers to scale back such surgeries.

Allegheny Health Network providers will resume surgeries this week, according to spokesman Dan Laurent.

The health system is moving forward “in a careful, safe and structured manner to meet the comprehensive surgical needs of our patients,” he said, many of whom had to postpone procedures in the face of the pandemic.

“We will continue to be mindful of the pandemic’s evolving impact on our region,” Laurent said, “and will always make the safety of our patients and caregivers the highest priority in everything we do to serve the community.”