COVID surge leads BayCare to suspend elective surgeries at Pinellas, Pasco, Polk hospitals

BayCare Health System put a hold on all elective surgeries and procedures at it hospitals in Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties as the surge in COVID-19 cases shows no sign of slowing down.

The hospital chain had already suspended some elective procedures across most of its Hillsborough hospitals in the past two weeks after the number of COVID-19 patients rose to more than 800, the highest since the pandemic began.

As of Thursday, the number of infected patients had risen to more than 1,000 patients across the company’s 14 hospitals in the Tampa Bay region and in Polk. That’s a 10-fold increase since the beginning of July, said BayCare Chief Operating Officer Glenn Waters.

“We’re making these operational adjustments to be sure we can continue providing safe, high-quality care to the recent influx of COVID patients in addition to hundreds of other people in our hospitals with unrelated, serious medical issues,” he said in a statement.

The decision comes as the number of coronavirus patients in Florida hospitals continues to rise every day. The Florida Hospital Association reported a record 15,358 COVID-19 patients as of Thursday. That’s up from just 1,842 patients from June 3. The association says 49 percent of adult patients in the state’s ICUs have the virus, and so do 32 percent of total patients in Florida hospitals.

Other hospital chains have also taken emergency measures to deal with the influx of infected patients.

Officials at AdventHealth last week announced new restrictions on hospital visits at all of its Tampa Bay locations and have suspended non-urgent elective surgeries that require an overnight stay at its Wesley Chapel and Carrollwood hospitals. Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County suspended elective surgeries at its hospitals effective Aug. 9.

Waters said putting a hold on the surgeries means hospitals can reserve staff and resources to care for patients who need immediate attention. BayCare has a clinical review process for patients or doctors who receive a cancellation notice but believe the surgery is medically necessary.

“We deeply regret the impact this can make on many people,” Waters said. “We will continue to evaluate the situation and determine at a later date when we can reschedule these appointments.”

• • •

Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage

DELTA VARIANT: COVID-19 is resurgent and school is starting. Here’s what parents and kids need to know about the fourth coronavirus wave.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

VACCINES Q&A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida.

GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.

A TRIBUTE TO FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply.

HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.