Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is set to recommence elective surgeries and procedures beginning next week, following Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement to re-open the economy that has been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hospital provided essential life-saving care to Covid-19 positive and other patients for the past eight weeks. Starting 04 May, it will be open to patients seeking elective surgeries and procedures as well.
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Tampa General Hospital president and CEO John Couris said: “Governor Ron DeSantis has implemented a data-driven and thoughtful approach to keeping Florida families safe during these uncertain times. Now, it’s time to re-open.
“He’s taking a measured approach to re-opening our state and getting people back to work while considering the health and wellness of those who are vulnerable. We’re grateful to have had a seat at the table, and I look forward to working with him in the coming months.”
TGH will maintain high level safety measures including temperature checks and screening for Covid-19 symptoms.
It will also test all new patients for surgery and other specific procedures for Covid-19, 48 hours prior to the surgery. The testing will be available at its main campus and three TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track locations across Hillsborough County.
To identify potential asymptomatic carriage of the disease, the hospital is providing surveillance swab testing to its existing and new patients.
TGH noted that the patients who are under treatment for Covid-19 will be isolated in a negative-pressure unit that is separate from other areas of the hospital. It has also barred all visitors from entering the hospital except for paediatric cases and laboring mothers.
In addition, strict infection prevention protocols including the use of UV disinfection are implemented at the hospital to contain the spread of Covid-19.
