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Several local hospitals postponing non-urgent surgeries due to COVID-19

Posted at 8:29 PM, Mar 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-18 21:29:49-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Several members of the Omaha Metro Healthcare Coalition decided to reschedule non-urgent surgeries or procedures starting Friday.

The decision was made Wednesday after the coalition "weighed and carefully discussed" each of the following considerations, according to Nebraska Medicine:

· Conserving vital medical supplies
· Protecting our expert workforce
· Following through on our promises and missions to serve our current and future patients

“Hospital systems in the Omaha area recently made the decision to cancel elective surgeries and they have my full support along with the Governor’s. This action helps minimize risk for health care providers and their patients and helps preserve needed personal protective equipment for COVID-19 response,” said Gary Anthone, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Nebraska Medicine said non-urgent surgeries are categorized as procedures that can be postponed for 90 days without risk or harm to patients.

The following health systems are making this change:

· Boys Town

· CHI Health – Omaha and Council Bluffs metro hospitals

· Children’s Hospital and Medical Center

· Methodist Health System

· Midwest Surgical Hospital

· Nebraska Medicine

· OrthoNebraska

· VA Medical Center

Each patient with a rescheduled procedure will be contacted by their healthcare provider.

The facilities will continue to provide urgent/emergency procedures and care for their patients.

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