Excela Health considers return to elective surgeries while stressing safety
Excela Health is moving cautiously toward resuming elective surgeries after state health officials on Monday gave conditional approval for such procedures.
State Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said hospitals and surgical centers could once more perform elective procedures as long as they would remain capable of handling a potential surge in covid-19 patients.
Elective surgeries had been on hold across the state for weeks to ensure facilities could focus resources on covid-19 cases.
Excela Health is “eager to resume performing elective procedures and providing non-emergent services for our patients,” said Dr. Carol Fox, chief medical officer of the Westmoreland County-based health system, on Tuesday. “While we believe we are nearing that time, we will be working with our physicians to resume this level of care in a thoughtful, well-planned manner and only after we believe our decision is rooted in what is best for the safety and well-being of our patients and staff.”
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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