While the Commonwealth is still battling the coronavirus pandemic, Kentuckians are settling into a new normal. Healthcare is leading the way by safely resuming previously restricted services.
Hospitals throughout the state were required to postpone elective surgeries and only provide emergent services during the early onset of COVID-19 and Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) complied. Those patients who were asked to wait on their surgical procedures are being contacted to reschedule as the PMC Surgery Department resumes elective surgical procedures.
PMC AVP of Surgical Services Andrea Akers RN, BSN explained, “We have never been closed, even during this pandemic. Our teams have continued to provide emergency surgery for multiple cardiac cases, traumas, stroke and more. We are excited to extend our services to once again, perform elective procedures. We are ready and so are our patients.”
Akers says patients have been anxious to get the go-ahead to reschedule their surgery.
She added, “We have procedures in place for screening upon entry to the hospital, safe social distancing and hand hygiene, all designed to enhance safety measures for patients and visitors. Exposure to additional people is held to a minimum as personal vehicles become waiting areas during surgery. Discharge information is explained car side when the patient is delivered back to their designated driver and is ready to leave.”
Extra steps are taken to keep patients, visitors and staff safe including a required patient pre-surgery Covid-19 test.
Akers explained that her staff works hard to communicate with visitors and deliver any necessary updates during procedures. They also provide a cell phone for patients to talk with their loved ones before surgery begins.
