As COVID-19 cases skyrocket across the state along with hospitalizations, St. Luke's is "forced" to pause some elective surgeries, the hospital system announced Thursday.
St. Luke's announced the measure is in place to "proactively manage its capacity for care" by temporarily pausing in scheduling some elective procedures that can be delayed without consequence and that require an overnight stay.
The pause goes into effect Nov. 16 and will stay in place through Dec. 25, according to St. Luke's.
Along with the pause comes cancellations of impacted elective cases, defined as any procedure that can be postponed by 90 days, at its Boise, Meridian, Magic Valley and Nampa Medical Centers. St. Luke's will continue to evaluate the impact of the cancellations on a weekly basis and will communicate with patients directly, according to a news release from the hospital systems.
St. Luke's McCall, Wood River and Mountain Home will not cancel any currently scheduled impacted elective procedures. St. Luke's Magic Valley continues a pause on pediatric admissions and will transfer patients needing admission to other facilities, with some exceptions.
The pause does not impact elective surgeries that do not require an overnight stay, according to the release.
