Kettering Health resumes elective surgical procedures as COVID cases decline in the state

KETTERING — Citing a decrease in the strain on the hospital resources, Kettering Health has resumed elective surgical procedures that required an overnight hospital stay, according to a spokesperson for the health care network.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kettering Health pauses elective surgeries due to COVID hospitalizations, ‘strain’ on health systems

Kettering Health was one of the major hospital networks that paused the procedures in early January during the most recent COVID-19 case and hospitalization surge. But as cases and hospitalizations have declined recently, the hospital network has been able to resume these procedures.

“On January 5, we announced a postponement of elective procedures that required an overnight stay, in an effort to prioritize patient needs as we faced an increase in COVID-19 volume and staffing challenges. In recent weeks, we have been able to resume many elective procedures that require an overnight stay,” the spokesperson said in an emailed release Wednesday.

The Ohio Department of Health continues to report new cases are well below the 21-day average. On Tuesday, the state reported 6,498 new COVID-19 cases and 552 new hospitalizations.

“While the situation remains fluid, at this time, most elective procedures requiring an overnight stay are moving forward as scheduled. We are grateful for the decrease in COVID-19 cases and the ongoing support of our physicians and care teams as we continue providing safe, high-quality care to our community,” the spokesperson said.

Other hospital networks in the region including Premier Health and Reid Health also paused elective procedures during the case and hospitalization surge in December and January.

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