St. Luke’s Health Postponing Elective Surgeries and Procedures

St. Luke’s Health is postponing elective, non-urgent surgeries and procedures in an effort to further protect the greater Houston community from the spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources for the sickest and most vulnerable of patients.

 

This decision, which was made in consultation with physicians from CHI Texas Division, aligns directly with the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Surgeon General recommendations to postpone elective, non-urgent surgeries nationwide as a proactive measure for the potential surge of COVID-19 patients.

 

With this announcement, there are a few key updates:

1. The postponement of elective, non-urgent surgical procedures will go into effect on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and continue tentatively through April 18, 2020. Patients who are scheduled for elective, non-urgent procedures will be notified by their physician offices today of this change.

2. The current visitor policy will remain in place—as will the current exceptions to the visitor policy, including family members for laboring mothers and patients who are at end of life. Health screenings also remain in effect for all employees, physicians and members of our workforce.