Some Wisconsin hospitals postpone elective surgeries due to COVID-19

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Hospitals across Wisconsin postponing elective surgeries as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Froedtert Health, Aurora Health Care and Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee as well as hospitals in Madison have heeded the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Surgeon General and American College of Surgeons to limit elective surgeries.

UW Health, SSM Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter said Tuesday that care teams are reaching out to affected patients.

UW Health started cancelling non-essential clinic visits last week as hospitals prepared for an influx of patients with COVID-19.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks.

Ascension Wisconsin, the state’s second largest health system, is reducing the number of elective procedures but not canceling them system-wide, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Aurora said it was immediately taking steps to reschedule elective surgeries through March 31, while preparing to postpone the surgeries beyond that date if needed.

Froedtert Health planned to contact affected patients directly. It’s also moving from in-person clinic visits to video and telephone options when possible.

Children’s Wisconsin is also is suspending all clinic appointments that are not time sensitive.