CentraCare Resuming Elective Procedures

Starting this week, and in accordance with the Minnesota governor’s executive order regarding elective procedures, CentraCare and Carris Health will resume medically necessary procedures that were delayed due to preparation for a surge of COVID-19 patients.

Surgical teams will safely increase emergent and time sensitive procedures to meet patients’ needs. As time goes on, CentraCare and Carris Health will continue to carefully expand to other types of cases, staying within the guidelines set forth by Gov. Tim Walz. However, these procedures will not be at pre-COVID levels for some time as staffing, equipment and inpatient bed availability will be limited.

“Our team is using a scoring system developed by the American College of Surgeons to prioritize medically necessary procedures based on patient acuity, safety, resources and more,” said Dr. Christopher Boelter, Specialty Care Division Physician Vice President. “Taking care of COVID-19 patients is the priority for CentraCare, and any elective procedures resumed could be rolled back at any time to conserve resources.”

Patients who are candidates for the elective procedures will be notified by their clinics. Patients who will undergo a procedure involving general anesthesia will be given a COVID-19 nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab and must test negative before the procedure can be done.

Over the past weeks, CentraCare has taken other measures to keep patients and staff safe, including universal masking, patient and staff screenings, visitor restrictions and intensive cleaning measures.

For patients who have questions about upcoming procedures, please contact your primary care provider or connect through MyChart.