OWENSBORO, Ky. (May 11, 2020) – Owensboro Health’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan has entered Phase Two with the reopening of the outpatient surgery programs at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. Both hospitals are emphasizing safety by limiting the number of procedures being performed and by testing all patients for COVID-19 prior to their arrival, according to Greg Strahan, president and CEO of Owensboro Health. “We have taken a thoughtful, careful approach to reopening our hospital services, emphasizing strong, necessary actions that ensure a safe hospital environment for our patients,” Strahan said. “We are doing this the right way, and our patients can feel confident about receiving care at any Owensboro Health facility.”
One of the system’s most noticeable safety measures is mandatory COVID-19 testing for patients who are scheduled for a surgical procedure. Patients are required to have negative test results within 72 hours of their procedure, and they must self-isolate before going to the hospital. Both hospitals are also continuing visitor restrictions; employing stringent, CDC-based cleaning regimens; and enforcing proper PPE (personal protective equipment) usage and physical distancing guidelines.
Meanwhile, while the system remains focused on surge readiness (preparing for potential influxes of coronavirus patients), the current volume of COVID-19 cases is low—a key benchmark that triggered the reopening of limited surgical services under the system’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, Strahan said.
“Owensboro Health is treating fewer cases, and we have the necessary bed capacity and PPE to maintain surge readiness, so it’s time to take the next step. Our community needs these important health services, and we will provide them safely and responsibly.”
The COVID-19 Recovery Plan is broken into four phases. Phase Three, the resumption of inpatient surgeries and limited elective procedures, is set to open on May 25, while Phase Four would restore elective surgeries at pre-COVID-19 levels on June 1. But the plan would be delayed in the event of a coronavirus surge or if surge readiness benchmarks are not met.
“The community’s efforts to stay healthy at home are flattening the curve in our area, and if that continues, we are optimistic that more services will open soon,” said Chief Medical Officer Francis
DuFrayne, M.D. “It is vitally important that we all keep up the good work: maintain physical distancing, practice healthy hand hygiene, and wear masks in public. Everyone can contribute to that effort.”
