Cancel elective surgeries, endoscopies immediately: American College of Surgeons

Last Updated: 2020-03-14

By Reuters Staff

(Reuters) - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) said Friday that elective operations, endoscopies, or other invasive procedures should be minimized, postponed, or canceled until it's clear "that our health care infrastructure can support a potentially rapid and overwhelming uptick in critical patient care needs" expected to result from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACS also called on hospitals and surgeons to "immediately minimize use of essential items needed to care for patients, including but not limited to, ICU beds, personal protective equipment, terminal cleaning supplies, and ventilators."

"Time is of the essence," ACS Executive Director David Hoyt wrote in a letter to surgeons that was posted online. "Please be vigilant and take a leadership role in your practice setting so that these recommendations begin to take hold immediately." (http://bit.ly/2TS2Ni9)