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Capital Region Medical Center and St. Mary's Hospital are canceling elective procedures effective Monday in response to the growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Central Missouri.
"The decision was made with careful deliberation, and we believe it is a necessary step in protecting patients and hindering the spread of infection," Dr. Randy Haight, vice president of medical affairs at Capital Region Medical Center, said in a news release. "Furthermore, we want to be as conscientious as we can be to preserve resources in the event the number of infections continues to expand."
Mike Baumgartner, regional president of SSM Health, which owns St. Mary's Hospital, said: "This measure is intended to ensure that only urgent or time-sensitive procedures are provided, to protect our caregivers and the communities we serve, and to conserve the resources needed for the COVID-19 health crisis."
Elective cases are generally regarded as not necessary to prevent permanent physical impairment, loss of life, loss of limb, loss of vision or life-threatening physiologic deterioration if deferred up to eight weeks. The decision by the hospitals to cancel elective procedures follows guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Surgeons, the surgeon general and other specialty organizations.
Officials from both Jefferson City hospitals said they will reevaluate processes as the situation evolves and will provide notice when it is appropriate to resume normal processes. Patients who currently have elective health procedures scheduled will be contacted by their health care provider to discuss rescheduling. If patients have a procedure scheduled and are unsure of its status, it's recommended to contact your physician or care provider.
Visitor policies restricted
Capital Region Medical Center also announced Friday it will allow only one visitor with each patient in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors must be 18 or older, will be screened for illness upon arrival, and are asked to stay in the room with the patient as much as possible, according to a CRMC news release. For surgical patients, the visitor is asked to stay in the designated waiting area. Visitor travel to vending areas and the cafeteria is acceptable.
Visitors will not be allowed into the Intensive Care Unit.
Visiting hours at CRMC are from 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. daily.
"We recognize being separated from a loved one who is in the hospital can be difficult," CRMC officials said in the news release. "However, we are taking this situation seriously and making every precaution to reduce the risk to our patients, visitors, employees and community."
St. Mary's Hospital also has enacted new visitor policies. As of Friday, the hospital was allowing only two visitors per patient, with all visitors to undergo health screenings, according to SSM Health's website, ssmhealth.com. The hospital's visitor policy will be evaluated daily and updated as appropriate, officials said.