Citizens Memorial Hospital postpones elective surgeries

Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Surgeons and the Surgeon General, Citizens Memorial Hospital is postponing elective non-urgent surgeries and other procedures effective March 17, 2020.

“As cases of COVID-19 increases statewide, we are taking precautionary measures to protect our patients and their families, surgeons, staff and the community,” says Gary Fulbright, CEO/executive director of CMH and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation.

Patients with elective surgeries and procedures impacted by this decision will be notified as soon as possible. CMH will continue to perform urgent and emergency surgeries as necessary, and patients should assume that their procedures would continue as schedule unless they receive notification otherwise.

“We have carefully evaluated this decision and understand it will be an inconvenience for patients; however, it is in their best interest that we protect against potential COVID-19 exposure,” says Fulbright. “This pandemic is a continually changing situation and our medical staff must be prepared to care for patients who may be impacted by COVID-19.”