December 17, 2021
COLUMBUS, Ohio – There is a significant increase in patients needing hospitalization in central Ohio. The number of COVID-19 inpatients has reached a peak not seen since January 2021 and it’s straining the region’s hospital systems. We are also seeing high numbers of non-COVID patients who are sicker than typical.
As a land-grant university and the region’s only academic health center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has a strong institutional commitment to making sure that both our own patients as well as all individuals across Ohio have access to the appropriate level of care when they have time-sensitive, life-threatening conditions that a referring hospital is not able to manage – both for COVID-19-positive patients, as well as for complex high-acuity cases (e.g., sepsis, acute leukemia or a stroke, STEMI, trauma or burn).
In order to maintain safety and high quality of care for our patients, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is postponing non-emergent, elective surgeries that require an overnight stay beginning January 3, 2022. Between now and January 3, no new cases meeting this non-emergent, elective definition will be scheduled, but no cases will be postponed. Affected patients will be directly notified if their case will be postponed.
This measure will help free the necessary resources for inpatients in need of immediate and life-saving care whether from COVID-19 or other serious illnesses. Surgical procedures deemed necessary to avoid risk to life, permanent dysfunction, progression of cancer or risk of rapidly worsening pain will still occur. Elective cases that do not meet these general criteria will be subject to postponement.
We appreciate our patients’ understanding as we work to address this ongoing public health concern while meeting the emergent care needs of our community.
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Media Contact: Serena Smith, Wexner Medical Center Media Relations, Serena.Smith@osumc.edu