Baptist Health Richmond to temporarily suspend elective procedures

Suspension begins Thursday, August 26 for the next 14 days.

(Richmond, KY) August 26, 2021 – Baptist Health Richmond is temporarily suspending elective procedures beginning Thursday, August 26 for the next 14 days. This does not include any imaging procedures including biopsies, CT, MRI and X-ray. Imaging procedures will continue as scheduled. Urgent and emergency surgeries will still be performed.

The suspension of these elective surgeries is attributed to the increase in COVID-19 cases at Baptist Health Richmond, largely due to the delta variant, which spreads more quickly and easily than the original virus, and the number of people who remain unvaccinated.

“The clinical leadership at our hospital is monitoring the scope of procedures that fall into the categories of elective, urgent and emergency procedures,” said Erica Gregonis, MD, Baptist Health Richmond Chief Medical Officer. “Our medical experts will be making these decisions while maintaining the best interest of our patient’s well-being and safety.”

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 at each facility.

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.

“We are taking this step to protect our patients while working to conserve resources, equipment and clinical staff to care for the most urgent and time-sensitive patient needs,” Dr. Gregonis said.

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