Resource: Preserving Elective Surgeries in the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Future
Source: JAMA
Synopsis: The practice of surgery has not been immune, with emergency declarations by many states to suspend elective procedures and office visits in mid-March. While only temporary, this abrupt cessation of surgery has had far-reaching implications that can inform future approaches in the context of both crisis and uncertainty.
Comment: This brief and thoughtful viewpoint article is very good. There has been a significant loss of revenue to United States hospitals. From March 1 to June 30, 2020 the estimated loss is $50 billion. Elective procedures are reimbursed at a higher level than Medicare. There is a process called “cost shifting” where elective surgery cases actually subsidize the loss of income secondary to the lower reimbursement of Medicare. In other words, 2/3 of the patients (Medicare) are subsidized by the 1/3 of the patients (elective surgery). Therefore, it is important to continue elective surgeries during this trying economic challenge.
Their recommendations are as follows:
- Rapid and accurate PCR tests.
- Guaranteeing availability of PPE for staff, students, and patients.
- Adherence to preventive practices like masking, social distancing, and frequent handwashing.
