Newport hospital resumes elective surgeries

NEWPORT, Wash. — Newport Hospital and Health Services will gradually restart elective surgeries beginning May 18.

The slow restart allows providers and surgical teams to screen all patients for COVID-19 prior to their surgery date, NHHS officials said in a press release. Since Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation halted elective procedures and surgeries, NHHS has continued to perform urgent and emergent procedures and surgeries that would have otherwise caused harm to patients if delayed. NHHS physicians have looked at each patient to determine this on a case-by-case basis.

“Our policy for resuming elective surgery in the wake of COVID-19 was constructed after considering the recommendations offered by the American College of Surgeons and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while ensuring compliance with the recent proclamation issued by Governor Inslee regarding this matter,” said Dr. Tim Chavis, NHHS surgery medical director. “We are fortunate that in Pend Oreille County we are not in an endemic area of disease as evidenced by only two reported positive cases during the pandemic. We feel safe offering elective surgical procedures at this time while using measures to ensure the safety of both hospital personnel and the general public.”

The policy outlines each step of the elective surgeries restart and will remain in effect until the hospital district receives an official declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.