Hospitals in Jefferson City have resumed elective procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic.
St. Mary's Hospital and Capital Region Medical Center both began performing elective procedures Monday after canceling them in March to prevent spread of COVID-19.
"At this time, we do feel it is safe to begin scheduling these procedures," Mike Baumgartner, SSM Health Regional President in Mid-Missouri, said in a news release. "Our primary focus will be on patients who have delayed non-urgent but essential treatment."
SSM Health is the St. Louis-based owner of St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City and St. Mary's Hospital - Audrain in Mexico.
Elective cases are generally regarded as not necessary to prevent permanent physical impairment, loss of life, loss of limb, loss of vision or life-threatening physiologic deterioration if deferred up to eight weeks.
"Criteria has been established to complete elective procedures as safely as possible, giving priority to the most serious cases," said Lindsay Huhman, director of marketing for Capital Region Medical Center. "We will continue to closely monitor the rate of COVID-19 infections in our service area; personal protection equipment available; and recommendations from local, state and national health organizations to expand or restrict elective cases moving forward."
SSM Health noted continued measures to help ensure patients' safety include universal masking of all patients, staff and visitors; testing all patients prior to scheduled procedures; screening all employees, visitors and contractors; grouping COVID-19 patients together within the hospital; and maintaining strict visitor policies.
Jefferson City Medical Group began scheduling some elective procedures last week.
This article was edited at 4:45 p.m. May 4, 2020, to add information.