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Beebe postpones all non-emergent surgeries

Beebe Healthcare
/
Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcare is postponing all non-emergent surgeries effective immediately.

Beebe is going this route to ensure that staff and beds can be reassigned for inpatient care.

This move is directly related to the continued surge in COVID-19 positive patients that require hospitalization and care. As of Tuesday, Delaware reported 759 COVID hospitalizations and 72 critical cases

Beebe is currently facing significant pressure on staff, care teams, and providers. As of Wednesday, Beebe was at 130 of its capacity.

“Right now, it’s more difficult than ever to deliver healthcare,” said Dr. David Tam, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “Our emergency departments and hospital are past capacity. We are making operational adjustments to keep up with the growing demand for healthcare in Sussex County, but this is not sustainable.”

Certain procedures and surgeries will continue including those screening for progressive diseases such as cancer that could have longer term consequences if not identified.

Patients will be contacted by their surgeon’s office, and Beebe’s multidisciplinary team will continue to evaluate cases daily for the health of all patients.

Beebe is not adopting Crisis Standards of Care, but notes the situation is critical and can change at any moment.

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.