Elective Surgery and Procedures

As the outbreak of COVID-19 evolves, Governor Baker has directed all hospitals in Massachusetts to cancel or postpone all elective non-essential procedures by Wednesday, March 18, 2020. This difficult decision was made with the safety of all patients, staff, and community in mind.

The determination of whether a procedure is elective will be made by the physician scheduled to perform the procedure. If you have questions, please call your physician's office to determine the best way to proceed. We understand that this is a trying time for all and the daily influx of new information may be overwhelming, with that in mind, we've developed a list of commonly asked questions and information on what you should do if you're concerned about the postponement of your procedure or outpatient services.

What is an elective procedure?

While the name implies the procedure is optional, this is not always the case with every patient. It means the surgery has been planned, in consultation with a physician, and is not being done in an emergency situation. An elective procedure can be life-changing for some patients, and you should consult your physician to determine if you should proceed with your procedure.

I've been off my medication to prepare for my elective procedure. What should I do?

If you have stopped or started medication in preparation for a procedure, please call your physician to determine next steps for care. Your doctor will determine if your procedure will proceed as scheduled.

I have an outpatient appointment scheduled, should I still attend?

If you are over the age of 60 and are immunocompromised or have a chronic medical condition, and have an appointment for occupational, physical, speech, or another outpatient service, our staff will work with you to reschedule your appointment. For all other patients, our staff will call you if your appointment has been cancelled, but if you have questions or concerns about your care, a clinician will be available to answer any questions over the phone.

Should I attend my scheduled cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation?

To maintain safety for our patients and staff, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services, including wellness exercise, will be temporarily closed. If you have additional questions, please call 508-236-7390 for more information.

I have a scheduled screening mammogram, should I still go?

At this time, all screening mammograms have been cancelled. If you have questions, please reach out to our Imaging Department at 508-236-7770.

I have an appointment at the sleep lab, what should I do?

For your safety and the safety of our staff, the Sleep Lab and the Sleep Clinic are temporarily closed. If you have questions, please call 508-236-7550 and our staff will be available to help you. 

Information is subject to change at any time due to updated guidelines and procedures.