Hoag resumes some elective surgeries

Hoag Orthopedic Institute resumed some elective surgeries Friday.

The institute, which has a specialty hospital in Irvine and outpatient surgery centers in Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Orange and Marina del Rey, postponed all elective surgeries in March and April in accordance with guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The institute said in a statement that it is proceeding “under a thoughtful and judicious protocol� using recent guidance from federal, state and local government agencies and in recommendations by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and other clinical professional organizations.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is one of the largest providers of hip and knee replacements in California.

“Many in our community have orthopedic issues that have been deferred for an extended period of time,� Jennifer Mitzner, president and chief executive of Hoag Orthopedic Institute, said in the statement. “The conditions today are such that we may now increasingly meet those delayed essential health needs in a careful and safe manner.�

All patients undergoing elective surgery procedures will be required to obtain COVID-19 testing three days prior to surgery, then quarantine at home prior to arrival at the facility for their surgical procedure. Personnel and visitors will be limited and screened, and limited personnel will be allowed in the operating room.

Dr. Robert Gorab, the institute’s chief medical officer, said the first patients will primarily be on an outpatient basis and those with fewer health-related issues that might increase surgical risk.

“We have an outstanding clinical care team and we are all very excited to resume orthopedic care for our patients, as many are quite limited by their musculoskeletal conditions,� he said.

For more on the new protocols, visit hoagorthopedicinstitute.com.

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