What is Considered Elective Surgery? Resuming Elective Surgeries Following the COVID-19 Crisis
On April 17th, the American College of Surgeons released basic guidance to help health care facilities begin to prepare for resuming elective surgery. It’s important to clarify what “elective” surgery actually means, as Vivek N. Prachand, MD, FACS, explains. “Although we talk about these operations as being ‘elective’, that doesn’t mean they are optional. It’s […]
Halting Elective Surgeries Due to the COVID-19 Crisis
On March 13th, the American College of Surgeons recommended that hospitals consider postponing elective, non-urgent surgical procedures in an effort to prepare for the influx of COVID-19 patients. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services followed suit on March 17th. A move that naturally garnered praise from the AMA. AMA President Patrice A. Harris, MD, […]