As of Apr. 29, 2020, University of Utah Health has resumed elective surgeries. For more up-to-date information, please refer to the official news release here.
Post originally published Mar. 16, 2020 and updated to reflect changes at U of U Health.
Beginning this week, University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare will start to postpone certain non-urgent elective medical procedures to prepare for an expected surge in patients needing hospitalization for COVID-19.
This change will free up space and beds within Utah's medical facilities, preserve supplies, and make more medical staff available to treat patients with COVID-19.
Patients affected by this change will be directly notified as soon as possible over the next few days. Postponed procedures will be rescheduled after this expected surge subsides.
University of Utah Health and Intermountain facilities will continue to provide care for urgent situations and emergency patients as it always does.
This decision is in line with recommendations from the U.S. Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American College of Surgeons. Other hospitals outside of Utah have begun to adopt similar measures.
While this change may create challenging situations for some people, it is a necessary and appropriate step given the anticipated growth in the number of Utah cases of COVID-19.
This change also promotes social distancing, which is critical to slow the spread of COVID-19.