Surgeries Could Be Delayed At Southwest General Due To COVID-19

Strongsville OH

08 December, 2021

7:49 AM

Description

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH — Southwest General Hospital has changed its visitation policies and is considering delaying surgeries because of the uptick in COVID-19 cases locally. Currently, the Buckeye State, and the northern portion of the state especially, is in the midst of a COVID-19 surge. Approximately 20 percent of all hospital patients are COVID-19-positive, according to the Ohio Hospital Association. In the intensive care units, things are even worse, with 1 in 4 patients testing positive for the virus. Non-essential, elective surgeries at Southwest General that require an inpatient bed will be evaluated to see if they should move forward. Elective procedures may be rescheduled as a result. Emergency and outpatient surgeries will continue. "With the rise of COVID-19 cases in Northeast Ohio, Southwest General is experiencing a high volume of hospitalized COVID-19 patients as well as patients with other medical conditions," the hospital system said in a statement. The hospital is now at "orange level" restrictions, a Southwest General official confirmed Tuesday. New visitation policies went into effect Tuesday. Here are the new policies: For COVID-19 negative patients Hospitalized patients can have one visitor per day. The visitor must be 18 or older. Patients coming to the hospital for regular appointments or procedures cannot have visitors, unless they require special assistance, the patient is sedated or a provider has asked the patient to bring an adult with them. Emergency department patients can have on visitor, 18 or older. Prenatal appointment patients can bring one visitor, 18 or older. Maternity services, both labor and delivery, can have two visitors per day, both visitors must be 18 or older. Inpatient behavioral health services can have two visitors per day, both visitors must be 18 or older. COVID-19 positive patients Only maternity ward patients can have visitors, with two 18 or older visitors allowed per day. All other departments will not allow visitors, unless it is a compassionate visit.