BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 14: Surgeons at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham conduct an operation on June 14, 2006, Birmingham, England. Senior managers of the NHS have said that the organisation needs to become more open in the future. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee is resuming elective procedures in phases starting Friday, May 1. This comes as hospitals have been conserving resources during the COVID-19 pandemic to address a potential surge in patients.
Dr. Wendy Long with the Tennessee Hospitals Association called bringing back elective surgeries a "cautious return." The association worked with the state's Unified Command on the future return of elective surgeries to make sure hospitals are methodical about prioritizing their resources.
Restarting elective surgeries will happen in a phased approach only if facilities meet certain guidelines.
The restrictions consider the recording of hospital capacity, COVID-19 testing for hospital staff, regular meeting with hospital leadership about equipment and trends, the amounts and use of personal protective equipment and the screenings of staff, patients and visitors.
The timing and approach of bringing back procedures will be determined on a community level with trigger points to scale back if necessary. Hospitals must be cleared to implement their individual plans.
The suspension of elective surgeries was originally set to expire near the end of the week.