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COVID -19 Resources and Updates

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Governor Hogan Announces Resumption of Elective and Non-Urgent Procedures and Appointments Beginning May 7th at 7:00 am

The Governor announced this afternoon that elective and non-urgent procedures and appointments may resume effective tomorrow at 7:00am. Secretary of Health Robert Neall issued the attached order with some additional guidance and steps to be taken with resumption of elective procedures.

The full document is attached, and the key provisions are noted below.

05.06.2020 – MDH Sec Order – Amended Various Healthcare Matters

We will update as additional materials and guidance documents are issued.

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B. Resumption of Elective and Non-Urgent Medical Procedures – Conditions

All licensed healthcare facilities and healthcare providers may resume elective and non-urgent medical procedures and appointments at 7:00 A.M., May 7, 2020 provided all of the following measures are in place:

1. Licensed healthcare providers shall exercise their independent professional judgment in determining what procedures are appropriate to perform, which appointments should occur, and which patients to see in light of widespread COVID-19 community transmission.

2. Any licensed healthcare facility or healthcare provider resuming elective and non-urgent medical procedures shall have at least one week’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for themselves, staff, and as appropriate, for patients.

Note: PPE requests to any State or local health or emergency management agency will be denied for elective and non-urgent medical procedures.
Note: The healthcare facility or healthcare provider must be able to procure all necessary PPE for its desired services via standard supply chains.
Note: For hospitals with COVID-19 patients, MDH will determine a daily PPE per patient use rate for PPE requests.
Note: All healthcare providers and staff shall wear appropriate face coverings, to include cloth face coverings, surgical face masks or N-95 masks, respirators, and/or face shields.
Note: Patients should wear a face covering whenever possible.

3. Social distancing requirements must be strictly maintained in all settings where people must wait in order to minimize direct contact between individuals within the healthcare setting and use of non-traditional alternatives is encouraged (e.g., call ahead registration; waiting in a car until called).

4. All healthcare workers, patients, and others must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival for shift or visit. Staff must stay home if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms.

5. All healthcare facilities and healthcare providers must plan for and implement enhanced workplace infection control measures in accordance with the most current CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control.html

6. Any healthcare facility or healthcare provider who is unable to provide PPE for themselves, staff, and patients where appropriate shall immediately restrict operations to urgent and non-elective procedures and appointments.

C. Certification and Other Matters

1. A healthcare facility’s managing authority or the responsible healthcare provider shall certify to MDH via secretary.health@maryland.gov that all of the above conditions for resumption of elective and non-urgent medical procedures have been met prior to resuming operations. A copy of this self-certification notice shall be posted prominently in the facility for the attention of patients and staff.

2. Complaints about a healthcare facility’s implementation of these measures may be directed to the Office of Health Care Quality at https://health.maryland.gov/ohcq/Pages/Complaints.aspx. A healthcare provider’s failure to comply with the terms of this order shall be considered to constitute unprofessional conduct, and written complaints about such failures may be directed to the appropriate health occupation board.

3. MDH does not construe the immunity provisions in Pub. Safety Art. § 14-3A-06 or Health Gen. Art. § 18-907 to apply to a healthcare provider or facility performing non-COVID-19 related procedures or appointments.

MSA Communication to the Governor’s COVID Advisory Council regarding Resumption of Elective and on-Urgent Cases:

April 24, 2020 – MSA Guidance Letter Reopening Surgery –MSA Guidance Letter reopening surgery – Final

MSA Signer on Multi-Specialty Letter to the Governor on resuming Procedures – May 1, 2020:

Ltr to Gov re Elective Proc-Final

ASA Joint Statement: Roadmap for Resuming Elective Surgery after COVID-19 Pandemic

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), in conjunction with the American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Hospital Association (AHA) and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), released a joint statement on safely resuming elective surgery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joint Statement – Roadmap for Resuming Elective Surgery after COVID-19 Pandemic

Resuming elective surgery statement – Release – FINAL – 041720

Additional COVID-19 RESOURCES

Check Frequently for updated links and information

State of MARYLAND Links and Resources:

American Society of Anesthesiologists Links and Resources:

ASA: Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Information for Health Care Professionals

Are You Eligible to be a FELLOW of the American Society of Anesthesiologists?

CLICK here to learn more!!

The Maryland Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) represents anesthesiologists throughout the State of Maryland and advocates policy that preserves the appropriateness and safety of the delivery of anesthesia care in Maryland. The Society is comprised of the anesthesiologists who practice within the city of Baltimore and the 24 counties of the State of Maryland.

The MSA has an obligation to our members and more importantly our patients to play an active role in the upholding of the standard of quality medical care. Patient safety is our primary concern.

We hope to achieve improved benefits for the Society’s members and to foster communication in our community!

Maryland Society of Anesthesiologists