All surgeries and procedures may resume, according to Ohio governor

Updated June 3, 2020, at 2:45 p.m.

Following the Ohio governor’s comments, the director of the Ohio Department of Health released a Director’s Order that Amends the Requirements for Non-Essential Surgeries and Procedures. The order confirms that, effective June 2, 2020, medical providers may resume all surgeries and procedures that were delayed by prior orders but requires that providers continue to:

• adhere to infection control guidelines
• maintain, conserve, monitor and count adequate PPE
• evaluate access to supply chain
• define processes for timely COVID-19 testing of patients and staff
• use telehealth whenever possible
• develop an action plan for communication, outreach and equitable delivery of services that recognizes social determinants of health and engages patients in discussion of COVID-19 contraction risks and shared decision-making regarding the need of and timing of health care services
• follow the Responsible Restart Ohio Guide for Health Care  

On June 2, 2020, Ohio Governor DeWine announced that health care providers may resume all surgeries and procedures that had previously been delayed. 

In doing so, health care providers must:

1. maintain adequate inventories of PPE, supplies, equipment and medicine.
2. create a plan for conservation and monitoring use of PPE, other supplies and equipment that could include decontamination and reuse.
3. maintain a reliable supply chain to support their non-COVID-19 cases and respond to an unexpected surge in COVID-19 cases, if needed.
4. define processes for timely COVID-19 testing of patients and staff.
5. continue to use telehealth whenever possible. 

Bricker’s health care team will prepare a comprehensive analysis with an order or written guidance when it is released.