(Spencer)– Spencer Hospital has joined the growing number of hospitals in the region in delaying the re-start of elective surgeries.
Governor Kim Reynolds Friday announced that hospitals could once again provide the surgeries effective today (Monday, April 27th) if they met conditions.
Bill Bumgarner, President of Spencer Hospital, says they’re working with staff to reinstate elective surgeries in a measured way. He says they have tentatively set a date of May 11th to once again provide them. And even then Bumgarner says patients will be prescreened for COVID-19 symptoms and other potential risk factors.
In the meantime Bumgarner says Spencer Hospital continues to provide urgent and emergency surgeries.
Spencer Hospital also Monday announced it Athletic Enhancement and Adult Fitness services will NOT reopen May 1st. A proclamation issued Monday by Governor Kim Reynolds included fitness centers among a list of businesses that could reopen with restrictions beginning May 1st. Jason Trierweiler, director for the Athletic Enhancement and Adult Fitness and director for Cardiopulmonary Services at Spencer Hospital said a continue increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa was behind the decision to not re-start those services at Spencer Hospital May 1st.
