Open, Safe and Right Here.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare has implemented a phased recovery plan based on state recommendations, that includes performing more elective surgeries and invasive procedures over time. Procedures will be
prioritized based on a patient’s need and health conditions.

• Same-day procedures began on May 6.
• Non-emergent and non-urgent inpatient (overnight admission) surgery and procedures began May 13 at 50% pre-COVID capacity.
• All procedures resumed on May 27.

Each phase will be subject to state COVID-19 safety requirements and safety precautions, including temperature screening, masks for patients and staff, and the expanded decontamination processes. These safety measures will continue for the foreseeable future.

We will continue to prioritize emergency and urgent procedures, but we have resumed scheduling elective procedures. Patients whose elective procedures have been cancelled due to the pandemic will be given priority for rescheduling.

Only the person receiving the procedure may enter the building.

• If the patient has a driver, the driver will be required to remain in the car until the patient procedure is complete, and the driver will be notified for pick-up.
• All patients will be temperature screened upon entry.
• All patients will be required to wear a face mask (their own or one will be provided)

At this time:

• St. Elizabeth Edgewood and Florence hospitals will be open for elective and urgent procedures.
• Outpatient surgery centers in Edgewood and Crestview will be open for same day elective and urgent procedures.
• St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas hospital will be available for only urgent or emergency procedures initially, and a timeline for this facility to return to its usual operations will be continually updated.

We will not perform elective surgery on patients with documented COVID-19 infection or with similar symptoms. Surgeries will be performed once the patient is asymptomatic.

Yes. Patients whose elective procedures have been cancelled due to the pandemic will be given priority for rescheduling.

Yes. Please view our visitor restrictions, here. 

Yes. We are applying additional COVID-19 specific safety measures to enhance the quality and safety we are known for. These include:

• Pre-procedure COVID-19 testing for elective surgery and procedure patients.
  • Your physician will talk to you about whether this testing policy applies to your procedure.
• Temperature and symptom screening prior to your appointment at our facilities.
• Supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) that meet or exceed state-mandated minimums.
• Visitor restrictions.
• Mask use for all St. Elizabeth staff and patients in our facilities.
• Enhanced and more frequent sanitizing procedures that exceed industry requirements.
• Social distancing in all areas of our facilities, including pre-and post-procedure areas.

Over the course of this phased approach, all previously performed procedures will be allowed. Outpatient or same day procedures began on May 6. Inpatient procedures, which are procedures requiring at least an overnight stay in the hospital, began May 13.

• The number of surgeries and procedures per day will be monitored, to minimize risk and to comply with social distancing rules as we provide the safest possible environment for patients and staff.
• All patients will be tested for COVID-19 and that test must be negative before continuing with elective procedures.
  • If a patient refuses to be tested for COVID-19, the elective procedure will not proceed without
    the test being performed and a negative result is received.
  • For patients for whom COVID-19 testing is pending or a patient refuses testing, urgent/emergent procedures will proceed with enhanced COVID-19 precautions. The patient will be subject to additional protocols to effectively provide care and maintain the safety of all patients and staff.
• All patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures prior to arrival for their
  procedure.
• Patients will be asked to bring and wear a mask the entire time while in the facility. Clean cloth or other homemade masks are acceptable. If patients do not have a mask or have respiratory symptoms, they will be given a surgical mask to wear.
• At a minimum, all staff will wear surgical masks during all patient encounters and while working in our facilities.
• Prior to your appointment, you may receive instructions from your provider’s office regarding arriving
  and checking-in for your appointment in a safe, efficient manner.
• Only the patient will be allowed in the facility. Special cases will be considered as defined by staff on a case-by-case basis.
• All facilities performing elective procedures and surgeries will maintain adequate PPE to meet or
  exceed state minimums during each phase and beyond.
• St. Elizabeth will continue to perform diligent hand washing and have added extra cleaning precautions.

Because of how COVID-19 spreads and based upon our experiences at St. Elizabeth, we know that masks make a tremendous difference in preventing the spread of this virus. As such, we will continue to require everyone in our facilities to wear a face covering. Patients without respiratory symptoms may wear their own cloth mask if it provides adequate protection and is not soiled. Patients with respiratory symptoms will be given an isolation (surgical) mask to wear. Staff will wear surgical masks and/or N-95 respirators.

Yes. As part of the state guidelines to begin to perform elective surgery and procedures, all patients must be tested.

Yes. While we’re currently prioritizing patients for elective procedures or surgery based on need and prior case delays, patients can schedule elective surgery and procedures with their physicians.

Each patient who had a surgery or procedure cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 can expect to hear from his or her physician’s office. Provider’s office staff will work with you directly on getting your procedure rescheduled on a date that works best for you.