Copyright 2015 linkinglewiscounty.com  all rights reserved       privacy policy here
Subscribe to our
YouTube Channel
Scheduled Return of Elective Surgeries Delayed
as Hospital Awaits Final Approval from NYSDOH

April 28, 2020   07:00 p.m.   By: Nick Altmire
    Lowville, NY- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last Tuesday that
    elective surgeries would be able to resume on April 28 in counties in the state
    that met specific criteria. This was great news to Lewis County Health System
    CEO Jerry Cayer, as his organization had to recently begin furloughing
    employees due, in part, to the lack of revenue that elective procedures generate.

    During a press conference on April 23, Mr. Cayer said the hospital would be
    "ready to go" on April 28, with his team working through the necessary logistics.
    He noted that the hospital met all of the criteria that Governor Cuomo had put
    forward on April 21.

    As of yesterday morning, everything was in place for the first elective surgeries to
    begin today. The procedures have been halted since a March 25th executive
    order from Governor Cuomo was issued as a way to preserve resources and bed
    capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The plan changed yesterday afternoon when the hospital learned they still had
    not received official guidance from the NYS Department of Health giving them
    permission to resume the elective surgeries. By late afternoon the decision had
    to be made to "pull the plug" on today's scheduled surgeries, Mr. Cayer said
    when we spoke to him by phone this afternoon.

    Mr. Cayer said he was incredibly disappointed with the apparent disconnect
    between the Governor's office and the NYS Department of Health.

    During the question and answer portion of his daily press briefing today,
    Governor Cuomo said that guidance would be provided to hospitals by the end of
    the day today for beginning the return of elective surgeries.

    As of 4 p.m. this afternoon the hospital still had not received the guidance,
    according to Mr. Cayer. He said the hospital will be ready to resume the
    procedures as soon as they have the clearance to do so.

    This story is developing and we'll update as new information is received.