Elective Surgeries, Procedures Return To Cape Cod Healthcare

BARNSTABLE, MA — Elective surgeries and other non-urgent medical procedures have returned to the Cape Cod Healthcare network, hospital officials announced.

According to hospital officials, Cape Cod Healthcare met state attestation guidelines Monday to resume these procedures incrementally.

"This is welcome news for patients on Cape Cod who may have had to defer care due to the COVID-19 pandemic," a Cape Cod Healthcare spokesperson said in a statement.

Following state guidelines in Phase 2, in-person care at Cape Cod Hospital, Falmouth Hospital and other in-network facilities expanded to include the reopening of non-urgent procedures and services, including routine office visits and nonessential, elective invasive procedures.

Officials said the hospitals and doctors offices have demonstrated on-going compliance with public health and safety standards including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control readiness, screening for coronavirus symptoms and social distancing protocols.

For in-person services and procedures, health care providers will continue to use their clinical judgement and prioritize urgent services, chronic disease management and preventive care. All in-person medical care, including routine office visits and behavioral health, may resume, with the exception of elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs, which will be part of Phase 3.

Cape Cod Healthcare patients who have a surgery, test or procedure that has been delayed, should contact their clinical care provider. Physicians will be prioritizing the scheduling of non-emergent, in-person cases according to state guidelines. In addition, Cape Cod Healthcare will continue to offer telehealth services to patients whenever possible.