Time for that Elective Surgery

By Alexander Onopchenko, M.D.

Vice Chairman, Department of Surgery, Director, Division of General Surgery, AtlantiCare

Hospitals and healthcare organizations around the world, across the nation, and in New Jersey are resuming elective surgeries in a world COVID-19 has dramatically changed.

Three important things are the same.

As healthcare providers, we always seek to make care as safe as possible.

Physicians and patients should always jointly decide when and whether a patient should have elective surgery.

And patients play a key role in their safety and wellbeing.

"Elective” in general, means it is a procedure an individual and his or her physician can schedule rather than one needed to immediately to save one’s life.

However, elective procedures are often medically necessary and time-sensitive. Joint replacements and cataract surgeries impact quality of life.

Biopsies and exploratory procedures save lives by detecting health issues early when treatment can be most effective. Bariatric and metabolic surgeries decrease the many risks morbidly obese face, including worsening health, that might even make them more susceptible to serious Covid 19 infection.

We prepared for COVID-19’s arrival and have cared for our community throughout the pandemic. We continue to take extraordinary precautions to protect our patients and their families, and our staff and providers.

Pausing elective procedures helped preserve personal protective equipment, hospital beds, blood supplies, and other resources to care for those hospitalized patients.

Together you and your physician should discuss whether and when you need surgery. Considering the right care, right time, right setting remains our focus as healthcare providers as we resume elective surgeries.

As a patient or family member of one, be actively involved in and responsible for your care. If you do need surgery or a procedure, that plan will include you being tested for COVID-19.

Follow your provider’s directions for when and where to have the test. Your care team will also likely direct you to self-quarantine from the time you have the test until you have the procedure.

Regardless of whether you have had COVID-19, currently have it, or do not, your provider will give you guidance for how to protect yourself and others as you prepare for and recover from surgery.

What has changed or might change?

As we gradually return to elective surgeries, we will focus first on meeting the needs of those who most urgently need surgery or other procedures. This will include those whose health or wellbeing could significantly decline if they don’t have a procedure or surgery timely.

Visits you have with your surgeon before and after the procedure might take place virtually by phone or computer. Our providers have connected with patients through Telehealth during the pandemic and will continue to do so.

Our staff and providers are wearing masks at every interaction for now. We are also requiring all patients and support persons to do so.

We’ve redesigned and might continue to adjust the preadmission testing, check-in, waiting room, and discharge processes and other experiences.

We’re working to minimize the inconvenience for patients and families while we maximize safety.

Travelers having to slide out of shoes for routine safety screenings at airports became routine as a result of post-September 11, 2001 precautions. So, too, will many of the changes healthcare providers are making and innovative approaches they are taking.

We’re concerned that some people have avoided getting care for emergency needs – including symptoms of heart attack and stroke. We also worry that those who don’t have emergency needs might dismiss or put off getting care they need and deserve. Always seek routine care and keep your healthcare team aware of changes in your health.

Whether you have a suspicious lump, increasing pain, a worsening chronic condition or a feeling that something isn’t right, call your healthcare provider.

Don’t delay care. We are open, prepared, and committed to caring for you safely.