HMH postpones elective procedures

Precautionary actions updated continuously

Elizabethtown, Ky. (March 18, 2020) – HMH is suspending elective surgeries and screening diagnostics beginning Thursday, March 19. Urgent and emergency procedures will still be performed.

The U.S. Surgeon General, the American College of Surgeons, the Kentucky Hospital Association and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, all have called for elective procedures to be postponed to meet the rising demand for COVID-19 care and to conserve hospital resources.

“We are taking this step to protect our patients while working to conserve supplies, equipment and clinical staff to care for the most urgent and time-sensitive patient needs,” said John Godfrey, M.D., HMH Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

Elective procedures are defined as those that are necessary but can be delayed for 30 days without significant risk or harm to the patient. Urgent cases will generally include procedures that cannot wait 30 days without significant risk to the patient, but in each case will ultimately be determined by the judgment of the physicians in cooperation with medical staff leadership.

Emergency cases are those that could result in the loss of life, limb or organ, or permanent disability if postponed, so these will be done as they always have been – as quickly as possible.

HMH Outpatient Diagnostic and Imaging centers remain open. Diagnostic procedures including diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and more remain scheduled. Routine screenings, for example screening mammograms and low-dose CT Scans, have been postponed.

Patients affected by this change will be contacted by HMH and given further guidance.

Please go to hmh.net for the most up-to-date information.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, please seek reliable, up-to-date, information.

Recommended sources are:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
• Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – kycovid19.ky.gov or Public Hotline: 1- 800-722-5725
• Lincoln Trail District Health Department – ltdhd.org
• Hardin Memorial Health – hmh.net or Patient Symptom Hotline: (270) 979-7777

About HMH

HMH is an integrated system of providers and facilities serving approximately 400,000 residents in 10 Central Kentucky counties (Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Breckinridge, Grayson, Nelson, Hart, Bullitt, Green and Taylor). The 300-bed hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky includes 270 acute care, 15 psychiatric and 15 skilled nursing beds. Additionally, HMH includes 50+ outpatient facilities across the service area including a Cancer Care Center and Outpatient Surgical Center. There are over 445 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in over 40 specialties and primary care including Hospitalists available 24/7, Emergency and Urgent Care; Cancer, Cardiac, Rehab and Therapy Services; Medical and Surgical Services; Pulmonary Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Ear, Nose and Throat, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics including a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatrics. With 2,700 employees and an active volunteer corps of 140, Hardin Memorial Hospital is the third largest employer in Hardin County.

Media Contact

Megan Blaney, Heartland Communication Consultants (631) 431-3011 megan@heartlandcommunicate.com