What to Know About Surgery During the Pandemic
3/9/2021
March 2021 – The thought of having surgery for a nagging injury or lingering pain can make some patients feel uneasy. But, as many experts have said over the last few months, it is extremely important not to neglect medical needs during the pandemic.
Patients can feel confident seeking care the medical care they need at Commonwealth Health. Numerous steps have been put in place to keep patients safe during their visits, including:
- Screening all visitors for COVID-19 exposure and symptoms before they are allowed to enter.
- Visitor restrictions reduce the number of people inside to enable social distancing and keep patients and employees safe.
- Facemasks are worn by everyone inside the hospital – patients, employees and physicians.
- Caregivers are using appropriate personal protective equipment and washing hands before and after caring for every patient.
- Cleaning protocols have been enhanced with extra measures and increased frequency, including disinfection of frequently touched surfaces and all patient care areas.
- Furniture in waiting areas arranged to support social distancing.
"Delaying surgery can allow your condition to deteriorate making the surgery more difficult with higher risk of complication,” said Dr. Clark Gerhart, a general surgeon at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. "A patient who becomes more ill due to delayed care can have longer hospital stays and higher costs. All our facilities have precautions in place to treat all patients who need medical care. I strongly urge people to contact their physician if they have health concerns. Remember, the sooner your surgery is done, the sooner your relief and recovery begin.”
Pre-surgery COVID-19 testing is required for patients undergoing procedures involving general anesthesia or aerosolizing procedures. Patients are asked to self-quarantine after receiving the test and before arriving at the hospital. Care for surgery patients is delivered in a non-COVID care zone in which all patients have tested negative for COVID and provided by a dedicated group of staff who only work in this area.
For all outpatient procedures and surgery, the visitation policy now allows one person to accompany each patient.
To schedule an appointment with a surgeon or another specialist, call 1-800-838-WELL (9355).
For more information about Commonwealth Health’s safety plan, click here.
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