SUSSEX COUNTY, Del - Bayhealth is beginning phase one of it's return to pre-COVID 19 operations at all of it's campuses. According to those with the hospital, this change comes after tracking a decline in hospitalizations and positive testing rates.
Terry Murphy, President and CEO of Bayhealth explained that four teams within the hospital have been assessing conditions and strategies for weeks in order to take this next step.
Murphy claims that moving in a direction of normalcy is necessary to serve not only those who have had to put off elective procedures, but those who have delayed hospital visits for non-COVID related emergencies.
"We're able to maintain the care for our community while simultaneously managing the COVID-19 patients particularly as the rush or surge seems to be moving through the community and getting to that normalization until we get the vaccine," said Murphy.
In the coming weeks the hospital is gearing up for a much anticipated transition to pre-COVID practices, but it does not mean a full return to normal just yet. While elective procedures are set to take place again, policies like restricted visitation will remain in place.
Calling Bayhealth's approach "measured with mitigation", the CEO detailed that there will be many structural and practical changes that will occur in this initial phase. “Folks coming in for appointments are properly screened ahead of time and screened when they come in. So there’s a screening mechanism to make sure that we’re addressing folks that may have symptoms of COVID19 and how to address that properly," said Murphy.
In other changes, the hospital says that cancer care services that were once consolidated in Bayhealth's cancer center in Kent county, will now be made available in their Sussex location once again.
According to Bayhealth's CFO, Michael Tretina, “the goal is to be back to full operating status with all services resumed by July".