COLUMBUS, Ind. — In response to our ongoing high patient census, including a record number of COVID-positive patients requiring inpatient care, Columbus Regional Health will begin prioritizing surgical procedures.
Specifically, the organization is evaluating procedures that require an overnight or inpatient stay. This will help maintain an adequate number of beds and ensure capacity for those who need urgent inpatient care, hospital officials said.
Prioritization of surgical procedures will be based on a variety of factors including the individual patient’s medical condition and risk for disease progression, as well as availability of inpatient capacity level and vital resources such as critical equipment and supplies, available staff, and beds. At this time, Columbus Regional Health continues outpatient cases as usual.
Patients scheduled for surgeries or procedures will be contacted by their physician practice if their surgery or procedure date must be delayed. Patients with questions about an upcoming appointment should contact their physician practice, hospital officials said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.