While a zero-visitor protocol will remain in place at the facility for the foreseeable future, Habersham Medical Center is taking steps to resume elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were suspended due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“It is critical for HMC to resume elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures,” said Tyler Williams, incoming chief executive officer of Habersham Medical Center in Demorest. “Doing so will enable our hospital to continue providing exceptional healthcare to our community. As we move forward to resuming this work, our priority has and will always be to ensure our hospital is a safe place for our patients, providers and employees. We will continue conserving critical supplies and exercise extreme caution against the threats associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The decision to reschedule clinically appropriate procedures was made in accordance with federal and state guidance, according to HMC. Current projections indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region, which means less strain on healthcare resources.
Hospital leadership has allocated supplies and resources such as masks, gowns, gloves, goggles and other personal protective equipment for frontline staff.
HMC initially will focus on scheduling patients with more time-sensitive health needs. Patients who are scheduled and approved for procedures must meet specific requirements, including passing standard COVID-19 screenings and testing.
The hospital will continue to screen and mask everyone who enters the facility.
