(File photo)

Osoyoos Times Staff

Elective surgeries postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions will start getting rescheduled next week as Interior Health announced plans Wednesday to resume elective surgeries that were postponed starting May 19.

While the pandemic continues to evolve, IH is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to safely resume elective surgeries to support access for patients, both on waitlists and yet to be added.

In a statement the health authority said the priority for staff and patients is to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

Interior Health is calling patients to confirm their health status and if they are able and willing to move forward with surgery.

“We recognize that some individuals may wish to continue to postpone their surgery at this time. Those who choose not to proceed with their surgeries immediately will hold their spot on the waitlist,” IH stated.

Interior Health is looking to maximize the ability to provide minor procedures that do not require an operating room, as well as day surgeries that do not require overnight stays in hospital.

Urgent, emergent, and oncology-related surgeries were not impacted by the pause in surgery and will continue as priority cases.

To minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for patients, IH will assess patients through a virtual pre-admission clinic by video conference or over the phone prior to surgery. Consistent screening tools and risk assessment guidelines will be used, IH stated, and patients will be assessed 24 to 72 hours prior to surgery and upon arrival the day of surgery.

Surgeries will be scheduled with time to accommodate additional cleaning and infection control measures, and IH stated patients will be rescheduled based on priority.

“Interior Health will assess opportunities to expand capacity over the coming months to ensure individuals who need surgery get it as quickly as possible. This plan is dependent on factors such as adequate supply of personal protective equipment, full commitment of all partners, and monitoring of a possible resurgence of COVID-19,” the statement reads.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit https://news.interiorhealth.ca/covid-19/