Community Medical Centers Halting All Elective Surgeries by January 1
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 3 years ago on
December 30, 2020
(Shutterstock)

Share

Due to staffing challenges and an increase of COVID-19 patients, Community Medical Centers will stop all “non-urgent” surgeries and procedures at their facilities by January 1.

“The continual increase in inpatients and quarantined staff have forced us to make this decision based on available capacity and staffing,” says Dr. Thomas Utecht, the hospital system’s chief medical officer in a news release. “We continue to review and monitor this situation looking for opportunities to bring operating rooms back on line or to relocate services where possible.”

But Fresno County’s top health official is quick to point out the misconception about the word ‘elective.’

“You have to understand that just because something is elective, like for example, a tumor operation, that can’t go forever or else the patient’s going to have a really bad outcome,” said Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra. 

Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County interim health officer

“You have to understand that just because something is elective, like for example, a tumor operation, that can’t go forever or else the patient’s going to have a really bad outcome.” – Dr. Rais Vohra

Important for People’s Well-Being

“Elective doesn’t mean frivolous,” says Dr. Anneli von Reinhart, who works in CRMC’s emergency department.. “There are lots of really important surgeries that fall under that category of elective.”

She gives an example that if you were to break your ankle in three places, that would technically fall under ‘elective.’

“We need to put you back together if you’re ever going to walk on it again. But we don’t necessarily need to do it today,” explains von Reinhart.

She says just because the surgeries aren’t considered emergencies, they still need to happen for the well-being of patients.

“Elective doesn’t mean frivolous.”Dr. Anneli von Reinhart

Can’t Delay Them Forever

While hospitals are asking patients to delay some surgeries due to space and staffing limitations, Vohra says they can’t be delayed forever.

“There’s some gray areas there,” says Vohra. “They’re (hospitals) are under a lot of pressure, especially from the state, to look at elective surgery schedules.”

Vohra says while the surgical colleagues he’s spoken with are very committed to good patient outcomes, they’re really stretched thin.

“They’re also taking trauma calls. They’re also doing acute care surgery. So they’re very much feeling the pinch like everyone else,” explains Vohra.

Kaweah Delta Medical Center

Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia had already begun limiting elective surgeries in early December.

In a news release announcing the shift, the hospital said it would, “focus on medically necessary procedures.”

“Unfortunately, conditions have worsened locally, so we do need to move forward with changes to reduce the risk of somebody bringing the virus into our Medical Center inadvertently,” said Gary Herbst, Kaweah Delta’s CEO.

Saint Agnes Medical Center

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Agnes has continued to perform essential surgeries and procedures for patients for whom a delay could cause harm, according to their website.

“We are proceeding with a phased approach and continuing to follow CDC and state COVID-19 guidance regarding appropriate testing, workforce needs and supplies, which we are monitoring daily,” part of their post reads.

[activecampaign form=25]

DON'T MISS

FresYes Fest Is Saturday: This Immigrant Is Living the American Dream With Xtreme Shawarma

DON'T MISS

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

DON'T MISS

Will FUSD Trustees Look First Only at Internal Candidates in Superintendent Search?

DON'T MISS

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

DON'T MISS

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

DON'T MISS

Bredefeld, Chavez Win Attorneys Fees from Fresno County. Court Gives Chavez Blvd. a Green Light.

DON'T MISS

Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?

DON'T MISS

Brothers Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane, Will Donate It to Smithsonian

DON'T MISS

Clovis Medical School Students Celebrate First-Ever ‘Match Day’ for Residency Programs

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Eclipse Chasers Are Hoping For 4 Minutes of Darkened Bliss in Texas

No data was found

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

9 hours ago

Fresno Bank Sued. It Allegedly Helped Bitwise Commit Fraud.

Bitwise /

9 hours ago

How California’s Prized Solution for Methane Gas Is Backfiring on Farmers

Environment /

11 hours ago

Supreme Court Seems Favorable to Biden Administration Over Efforts to Combat Social Media Posts

12 hours ago

Putin Extends Rule in Preordained Russian Election After Harshest Crackdown Since Soviet Era

12 hours ago

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

12 hours ago

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

12 hours ago

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

News /

13 hours ago

March Madness is Here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina Get Top Seeding in NCAA Tournament

13 hours ago

Crafts Retailer Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Consumers Cut Back on Pandemic-Era Hobbies

14 hours ago

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

■Valley Children’s paid CEO Todd Suntrapak $5.2 million in 2021. The hospital also gave him a $5 million forgivable home loan. ■The Va...
Healthcare /

8 hours ago

3 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

3 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

4 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

4 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

4 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

4 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

4 days ago

India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslims. Here’s What to Know

4 days ago

US, G-7 Allies Warn Iran to Back Off Deal to Provide Russia Ballistic Missiles or Face New Sanctions

Photo of San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead

4 days ago

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Agrees to a 3-Year, $51 Million Deal with the Jaguars, AP Source Says

4 days ago

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Search