Saint Clare’s Health to Resume Non-Emergency Procedures in Accordance with State Guidelines
Denville, NJ (May 20, 2020) – Following newly released COVID-19 guidelines issued today by the state Department of Health, Saint Clare’s Health, a member of Prime Healthcare, announced that it will resume elective surgeries and invasive procedures on May 26.
Dr. Neil Udani, Saint Clare’s chief medical officer, said a careful and structured move toward restarting clinical care operations and procedures has begun in order to address the needs of the community and expand access to medical and surgical care.
“The hospital will be carefully monitoring the virus’s ongoing impact to the community and will maintain its ability to properly respond to the coronavirus as we begin serving patients with the essential care they need,” Dr. Udani said. “We want to assure our patients and community that we are implementing best practices and will do everything we can to keep them safe.”
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey and free up hospital resources, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 109 on March 23 suspending elective surgeries and invasive procedures.
On Friday, the governor signed Executive Order 145 reversing the suspension and directing the state Health Department and the Division of Consumer Affairs to issue policies and guidelines today.
“While still focusing on the importance of our COVID-19 response, our health care systems now have the capacity and resources to resume the critical role of serving their patients and ensuring the health of our communities,” Murphy said.
A committee of physicians and other clinical leaders at Saint Clare’s has been meeting regularly to ensure safe resumption of essential health care services, including non-emergent surgeries and procedures.
Saint Clare’s patients will be screened and tested for COVID-19 72-hours prior to any surgery even if there are no signs or symptoms of the infection. Saint Clare’s has made special effort to separate COVID-10 and non-COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
Surgery patients are allowed one visitor to the hospital to accompany them to the waiting area. All patients and visitors must pass through a hospital screening station upon entering the building.
Saint Clare’s Health is among the safest hospitals in New Jersey. The hospital recently was awarded an A in patient safety from the Leapfrog Group for the fourth period in a row and is a recipient of the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
Dr. Sonia Mehta, the Region II chief medical officer and corporate CEO for Prime Healthcare, said patient safety remains the highest priority at all Prime hospitals and that supplies of personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves are more than adequate to treat both COVID-19 patients and those undergoing important elective procedures and surgeries.
“Resuming these important services is essential to our mission of providing quality, community healthcare,” Dr. Mehta said. “As a health system, Prime remains committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19 and its evolving impact and ensuring that our facilities are safe places for all patients, providers and staff.”
In addition to Saint Clare’s Health, Prime Healthcare operates Saint Michael’s in Newark and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Passaic in New Jersey.
The hospital’s Emergency Department remains open for all those seeking emergency care. Following physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19 does not mean ignoring the signs or symptoms of other medical emergencies.
“Those experiencing signs of a heart attack or stroke, for instance, such as difficulty breathing or sudden muscle weakness, should still call 911 or visit the emergency room immediately,” said Brian Finestein, CEO of Saint Clare’s.
“We are well prepared to handle non-COVID emergencies as well as able to deal with an influx of potential COVID-19 cases, and are following all state, local and federal guidelines to safeguard our staff and other patients from exposure.”
About Saint Clare’s Health
Saint Clare’s Health is a CMS 5 Star Rated and an award-winning provider of safe, high quality, compassionate care, serving the communities of Morris and Sussex counties. Its network of hospitals and healthcare facilities include Denville Hospital, Dover Hospital, Behavioral Health Centers in Boonton, Denville, and Parsippany, and an Imaging Center in Parsippany, among other satellite locations. To learn more visit SainClares.com and Like Us on Facebook.
CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) 5 Star Rating is based on 100 rigorously tested quality measures at more than 4,000 Medicare certified hospitals as well as Veteran Health Administration and military health system hospitals.
Saint Clare’s Health is Joint Commission accredited and both Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital and Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital have been recognized by the following third-party organizations:
- Leapfrog A Rating for Patient Safety
- One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention
- American Heart Association recognitions for:
- Get With the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award
- Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award
- Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Center – Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award 2018
- Three Year Accreditation Award with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
- Accreditations by the American College of Radiology in Radiation Oncology and Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital’s Echocardiology Laboratory at has been recognized by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Echocardiology Laboratories and the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. It is also a recipient of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Care Award.
Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital has received Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQUP) Comprehensive Center Designation Joint Commission Accredited.
Visit our website at www.SaintClares.com.