Elective surgeries postponed in Ohio hospitals

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday the Ohio Department of Health has issued an order declaring that elective surgeries and procedures in Ohio's hospitals be postponed in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and first responders. This would include surgeries for colectomy, hernia repair, among other procedures, like plastic or cosmetic operations. The order will go into effect at the end of business on Wednesday. The Ohio Hospital Association has estimated that the amount of personal protective equipment that Ohio will need during the COVID-19 pandemic is equal to the amount of personal protective equipment available nationally. "By postponing elective hospital procedures that are safe to delay, we can protect patients and providers," DeWine said. "This will also help us preserve critically short supplies of personal protective equipment and preserve inpatient beds and other equipment for critically ill patients." The state's hospital association developed guidelines for healthcare providers for the management of non-essential surgeries and procedures in Ohio. Surgeries or procedures will be delayed unless there is a: • Threat to the patient's life if surgery or procedure is not performed • Threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system • Risk of metastasis or progression of staging • Risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms In order to preserve personal protective equipment, only individuals who are essential to conducting the surgery or procedure shall be in the surgery or procedure suite or other patient care areas where personal protective equipment is required. Each hospital and outpatient surgery or procedure provider shall establish an internal governance structure to ensure the principles outlined above are followed. Emergency childcare measures DeWine also signed an executive order establishing a temporary pandemic child care license that allows the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide childcare to families where parents work in the health, safety and essential service fields during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency will issue temporary pandemic child care licenses to ensure communities have access to child care. "It is important that professionals who are essential to protecting the public are able to ensure their families have safe places to go while they are at work," DeWine said. "Helping to address this need allows our health and safety providers to focus on protecting and caring for all Ohioans." New temporary pandemic child care centers will operate under reduced regulations focused solely on the health and safety of children. Pandemic child care center licenses can be granted to already existing child care centers or new child care centers that may be created in response to community needs. For more information, visit jfs.ohio.gov.