Magnolia Regional Health Center to Reintroduce Elective Procedures
May 4, 2020 10:07 am
Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) has begun the process of reintroducing select elective surgeries and procedures.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves extended the Safer at Home Order until Monday, May 11, 2020, but loosened some restrictions on many hospitals and healthcare systems around the nation, allowing them to perform certain elective surgeries. The procedures must fall within the mandated tiers provided the Mississippi State Department of Health.
“As we begin the process of performing select procedures, our team will closely follow the guidelines provided the Mississippi State Department of Health,” said Dr. Jim Gilmore, chief medical officer at MRHC. “Our medical staff will work diligently to determine which procedures are medically necessary and can be performed in the safest environment for our patients.”
Dr. Peyton Preece, Internal Medicine Physician and Hospitalist, Dr. Jim Gilmore, Chief Medical Officer, and Jim Hobson, Chief Executive Officer, discuss elective procedures and COVID-19 precautions during one of MRHC’s daily COVID-19 meetings.
The newly mandated Executive Order specifically mentions healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities continuing to perform all procedures that are medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death. It also mentions healthcare facilities can resume performing non-emergency, elective medical procedures and surgeries, as clinically appropriate, in accordance with the guidance provided the by Mississippi State Department of Health.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, MRHC, along with healthcare organizations across the country, have been hit with extremely low patient volumes and steep revenue declines. Operating rooms serve as the economic engine for hospitals across the country, and the team at MRHC knows that it is critical to begin reintroducing procedures that adhere with MSDH guidelines.
“We’re confident that our team will safely and efficiently begin implementing much needed procedures that will improve the health of the patients we serve,” said Jim Hobson, chief executive officer at MRHC. “While we are naturally concerned with the financial impact that elective procedures will have on our organization, the safety of our patients and staff is, and always has been, our top priority.”
Hobson added, “We know that the cancellation and postponement of elective procedures was necessary to slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. Our team has taken necessary steps to ensure that our patients, visitors and staff were safe, while still providing critical care for our patients during their time of need.”
Since the initial Executive Order on April 1, 2020, instituting a statewide Shelter in Place, hospital leadership, medical staff and clinical teams have worked tirelessly, planning and preparing for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients and the eventual reintroduction of elective procedures. MRHC’s COVID-19 emergency team has met daily to discuss resource utilization, staffing and the process of securing much-needed protective equipment.
MRHC continues to implement standard safety precautions to ensure the safety of all patients, visitors and staff such as limiting visitation, screening all individuals entering the facilities and requiring staff to wear masks in all settings. Telemedicine efforts continue to be used in all MRHC clinics, providing a safer and more convenient method of care for many patients at this time.
“Throughout this entire process, our medical team and frontline staff members have been phenomenal in their efforts to provide outstanding and safe care for our patients,” Hobson stated. “As we closely follow the MSDH guidelines, I’m confident our team is prepared and able to continue to provide the care our patients have grown to know and expect.”
This post was written by Magnolia Regional Health Center
