Kaiser Permanente will join several hospitals in California and postpone non-emergency elective surgery in response to the current increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, Eyewitness News reported.
Hospital officials say the decision was made to free staff to focus on supporting COVID-19 units, while ensuring that Kaiser facilities have the capacity and staff available to provide care.
“Exceptions to this break in surgery are cancers and suspected cancers, as well as any situation where postponing surgery would have a negative impact on the patient’s medical condition, including pain,” officials said in a statement.
The postponement will last until January 10, and the new elective surgeries will not be scheduled until the end of next month.
Patients affected by this change are contacted directly by hospital officials.
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