Fort Worth’s JPS Hospital resuming non-emergency surgeries, services amid coronavirus
The JPS Health Network is reopening multiple services over the next two weeks beginning with its Urgent Care Center reopening at its usual location on the first floor of the main hospital building.
Non-emergency surgeries and procedures will resume on May 26, and community health clinics will begin a phased reopening on June 1.
Much of the hospital’s normal routine has been altered by the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is an important step forward for our patients,” JPS Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Michael Hochberg said in a news release “Achieving it is a testament to the strength of our JPS family and is indicative of the dedication and confidence our community has in us and our care.”
JPS Chief of Surgery Dr. Rick Miller said patients who have had to cancel a procedure because of the pandemic will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Patients who had surgical appointments canceled will be contacted by JPS.
“We have a number of patients who been waiting for elective surgeries because of COVID, and it’s important that we start to get those taken care of before they become emergent and more complicated,” Miller said. “The older the cancellation, the sooner the patient will be scheduled.”
Phase 1 of the reopening will only include patients who are at low risk, including no evidence of chronic lung disease and who require two hours or less of operating room time, and do not need an inpatient stay after their procedure.
Initially, a maximum of 110 operations will be performed a week. Phase II, the release said, will include more complicated cases and Phase III will be the full return to a normal surgery schedule.
For updated information on available services and locations, visit the JPS website at www.jpshealthnet.org.
