Adventist Health hospitals suspend elective surgeries due to increased COVID-19 hospitalizations

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Adventist Health announced Tuesday it is suspending elective procedures at Adventist Health Bakersfield, Delano and Tehachapi until the end of January 2021.

The hospital said this temporary move comes with an understanding of hospital and community limitations, taking into consideration facility resources (i.e. available beds, staff, equipment, supplies, etc.) as well as community safety and wellbeing.

“This action does not pertain to emergent or urgent surgeries,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Reynoso. “This also does not include cases related to the diagnoses or treatment of cancer, surgery in patients who are highly symptomatic or progressive in their disease condition,” he added. “These kinds of cases will be scheduled, and surgeries performed. We will also continue to review surgery cases and make determinations on a daily basis during the COVID-19 surge.”