Trinity Health of New England, which operates flagship St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, says it’s gradually increasing elective surgeries as COVID-19 hospitalizations decline statewide.
Dr. Reginald Eadie, CEO of Trinity Health, on Monday said the health system is ramping up medical services and surgeries with enhanced safety protocols after social distancing mandates have been effective in limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus across the region. The initiative extends to all sister hospitals of Trinity Health, including Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford.
Trinity did not detail exactly which surgeries and procedures will return sooner than others, but said one orthopedic procedures necessary for patients with chronic pain that affects their ability to walk or use stairs will be among those that resume in the near term.
The health system will prioritize “patients whose long term health and wellness will be negatively impacted by further delaying their care.”
The decision comes as Connecticut hospital officials say they stand to lose $1.5 billion this fiscal year due to widespread cancellation of elective procedures, a sharp decline in emergency room visits and the need to purchase a large amount of personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
The loss of revenue has forced Trinity Health to furlough some employees — mostly in non-clinical roles — and reduce hours for others.
Meantime, COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined in 17 of the last 18 days.
Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday reported 1,242 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state, down 59 from the previous day. There were also 570 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 from the previous 24 hours (33,554 total COVID-19 cases) and 35 more COVID-19-related deaths (total of 2,967 deaths).
Dr. John F. Rodis, president of St. Francis Hospital, in a statement said individuals in need of essential medical treatment should no longer delay their care.
“We are taking a thoughtful, phased approach to resuming select services and are following CDC and state COVID-19 guidance to provide a safe environment for both patients and colleagues,” Rodis said.
[Read more: ‘We’ll get through this.’ Head of Saint Francis Hospital talks about management in a time of crisis]
According to Trinity Health, enhanced safety measures include:
- The creation of COVID-19-free zones, meaning areas where people are not known to have COVID-19 or related symptoms. All patients, employees and approved visitors will be screened and tested for COVID-19 and required to wear masks.
- New deep cleaning rules following CDC guidelines.
- Continued visitor restrictions.
Trinity Health says patients scheduled for elective procedures requiring an overnight stay will be tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours prior to the surgery or procedure. The procedure will be postponed if a patient tests positive for COVID-19, and will continue as planned if the test is negative.
“While urgent and imperative surgeries never stopped during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase of select critical services and surgeries at Saint Francis, and across Trinity Health Of New England, are for patients whose long-term health and wellness will be negatively impacted by further delaying their care,” a Trinity spokesperson said in a statement.
This story has been updated to include additional details, including an example of an elective procedure Trinity is resuming.
