NNRH Preps for Surgeries

Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (NNRH) announced Thursday that it is taking the appropriate steps to safely resume some elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that previously needed to be rescheduled out of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Resuming these important services is an essential component of meeting our community’s health needs and advancing our mission of Making Communities Healthier,” said Steve Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of NNRH. “As this work gradually gets underway in our hospital again, we remain committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, and ensuring that our facility is a safe place for all patients, providers and employees.”

NNRH says that surgical patients will also be asked to practice “safer at home” behaviors for a week before their procedure to minimize potential exposure. This new protocol includes checking their temperature twice a day during that period and reporting any temperatures over 100°F.

The hospital assembled some Frequently Asked Questions online with more details on pre-surgery protocols.

All surgical patients will undergo testing for COVID-19 prior to their procedure. They’d also like to remind you that if you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go directly to the ER. If applicable, tell the dispatch agent if your emergency involves symptoms related to the coronavirus so they can prepare for you.

Hospital administrators said decisions about which procedures can move forward safely will be made after a comprehensive pre-operation checklist and an evaluation of risks. Patients awaiting information about their previously postponed procedure can expect to hear from their provider to discuss rescheduling at the appropriate time.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday the Nevada Hospital Association is preparing to resume medically necessary procedures for care that have been delayed since hospitals began to cease those procedures to support the COVID-19 efforts.

Governor Steve Sisolak announced on Tuesday that Nevada is ready to resume limited medical and dental procedures. This move aligns with other states that previously restricted these types of procedures, and are now relaxing restrictions.