The Mahoning Valley’s two hospital systems are mobilizing to restore some medical procedures postponed during the COVID-19 outbreak, perhaps as soon as today, but with safeguards to protect patients, employees and the community.

Today is when medical procedures that don’t require an overnight stay, otherwise considered elective, can begin as Ohio

loosens some restrictions on health care amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The state made the move to temporarily halt elective surgeries in March to preserve the supply of personal protective equipment that front-line medical workers needed to treat patients with the virus and to suppress the spread of the infection.

At Trumbull Regional Medical Center, a Steward Health Care facility in Warren, and at Mercy Health-Youngstown’s three hospitals in the Mahoning Valley and surgical center in Howland, steps have been made to get patients rescheduled.

At Trumbull Regional, the first of the rescheduled surgeries should happen today, said Dr. Justin Mikula, the medical center’s chief medical officer.

At the Mercy Health facilities — St. Joseph Warren Hospital, St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital — preparations are being made to restart Monday, said Dr. James Kravec, chief clinical officer for Mercy Health-Youngstown.

TRUMBULL REGIONAL

Mikula said all employees are required to wear masks, and patients and visitors will be given a mask. A restricted visitor’s policy remains in effect and hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the facility, plus rooms are rigorously cleaned.

Visitors aren’t allowed except in certain instances, a policy that is “unfortunate, but it has to be done for patient safety,” Mikula said.

In addition, COVID-19 patients are fully separated from other patients at the facility on floors designated for treatment of the virus.

Patients arriving for surgery will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. If necessary, the procedure will be rescheduled, Mikula said.

He added hospital staff can safely evaluate other emergency illnesses and cautioned people not to overlook or try to wait out symptoms of an illness that requires immediate medical attention.

“It’s important patients understand, that people understand, if they have a medical problem, chest pain, stroke-like symptoms, they need to go to the emergency room and have that checked,” Mikula said. “The risk of an actual stroke or heart attack is higher than theoretical COVID.”

MERCY HEALTH

At the four facilities, anyone who needs to come in will be screened for the virus, but differently.

Those coming in for noninvasive procedures, including lab work, X-ray or radiology, will take a survey for symptoms, said Kravec. Others who need surgery will take a COVID-19 swab test three days prior to the procedure.

If the result is positive, and the procedure is purely elective, Kravec said, the patient will be asked to delay. But if it is needed for the person’s health and wellness, it can proceed.

The system’s general visitor policy will remain restricted. Each patient will be permitted to bring one person who must undergo the screening process and follow social distancing guidelines. In addition, waiting areas will be modified to make sure people properly distance and wear masks.

All employees are required to wear a mask.

“We have these patients, and the most important thing I am worried about is patient care and they get the procedure when they need it,” Kravec said. “Even procedures we delay, there will come a time when it is very, very important for the patient to get it.”

rselak@tribtoday.com