Thursday, April 16, 2020

Governor Stitt amends Executive Order to allow for elective surgeries to resume



Governor Stitt amends Executive Order to allow for elective surgeries to resume

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16, 2020) – Governor Stitt today issued an amendment to Executive Order (EO) 2020-13, which sets guidelines for medical providers to determine which elective surgeries that can resume April 24.

Additionally, Gov. Stitt signed Executive Memorandum 2020-02 outlining an Elective Surgery Acuity Scale (ESAS) for medical providers to follow regarding when elective surgeries can be performed during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

“We initially suspended elective surgeries to preserve hospital bed capacity and PPE to handle a potential surge in COVID-19 patients,” said Gov. Stitt. “Since our data indicates we are in a good position regarding hospital capacity – and provided individual institutions can accommodate their internal demand for PPE – it is time to bring some of these procedures back to help our hospitals and the Oklahomans who need them.”

Beginning April 24, any procedure for conditions that are not life-threatening and which, if not provided, would have the potential for increasing morbidity or mortality can be performed.

All minor medical procedures and non-emergency dental procedures such as outpatient surgeries or procedures for not life-threatening illnesses may resume May 1.

Medical providers are encouraged to consult the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Non-Emergent, Elective Medical Services and Treatment Recommendations for guidance on what is considered an elective surgery or procedure.

from MuskogeePolitico.com