WA tells Medical Professionals to cancel all elective procedures.

[TitanMike]

I am scheduled for a Colonoscopy next month and I called to see if there was the possibility it would be re-scheduled.

Was advised that the order came down last night from WA State Gov that all elective procedures are to be cancelled. Reason given is that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and any essential supplies are to be diverted to First Responders and Hospitals.

Clearly more than just travel plans and camping are being affected.

And here I was hoping to get that behind me

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I am scheduled for a Colonoscopy next month.....
And here I was hoping to get that behind me

Now that's funny.

Seriously though... You're better off not being in a hospital or a surgery center right now.

[dbledan]

First time I have ever heard a story where the politician was not trying to get you in the rear end.

Stay healthy!

[saus]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I am scheduled for a Colonoscopy next month and I called to see if there was the possibility it would be re-scheduled.



Was advised that the order came down last night from WA State Gov that all elective procedures are to be cancelled. Reason given is that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and any essential supplies are to be diverted to First Responders and Hospitals.



Clearly more than just travel plans and camping are being affected.



And here I was hoping to get that behind me

Same here in Florida. My wife is a dentist and now closed until further notice.

[saus]

Sorry. I attached the wrong post to mine.

[kenandterry]

Clearly the mixup between these last two posts might bite you in the *****.

[just4u_cara]

Yep, closures all over up here in Canada. Mandatory 14 day self quarantine for all returning international travellers (snowbirds, tourists, etc...) and all bars/restaurants are closed to dine-in customers (take out or delivery only) and all elective procedures are cancelled for the same reason to limit the unnecessary use of PPE equipment for health personnel. It's a $shitstorm already and the medical profession will be at the brunt of things until it's long over.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by just4u_cara

Yep, closures all over up here in Canada. Mandatory 14 day self quarantine for all returning international travellers (snowbirds, tourists, etc...) and all bars/restaurants are closed to dine-in customers (take out or delivery only) and all elective procedures are cancelled for the same reason to limit the unnecessary use of PPE equipment for health personnel. It's a *****storm already and the medical profession will be at the brunt of things until it's long over.

Agree on the mess. Some good may well come out of this though.

If the message is received by those in charge we as a country may be far better prepared for the next crisis. Won't be a matter of "IF", just "WHEN". Preparedness has taken a back seat to way too many far less critical "programs".

Also current events should make it very clear the risks of relying on foreign supply for critical needs.

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Agree on the mess. Some good may well come out of this though.

If the message is received by those in charge we as a country may be far better prepared for the next crisis. Won't be a matter of "IF", just "WHEN". Preparedness has taken a back seat to way too many far less critical "programs".

Also current events should make it very clear the risks of relying on foreign supply for critical needs.

Hopefully people will finally "get it" what FEMA has said for years: a 14 day supply of emergency stocks.

And what financial advisors have also said for DECADES: have a minimum of three months pay saved. But some find it more important to purchase big screen televisions and $800 cellphones instead of preparing for possible future problems.

Sad.

[Bob2019]

The Minneapolis VA has cancelled all elective procedures. Dental offices have closed. Wife needed a CT scan yesterday and the hospital said no outpatients for the next 2 months. When we did go to a specialist place for medical procedures I was met as the elevator opened and told could not be there or stay in their large waiting (even if 6 feet from anyone else). I could not wait for her and was told to wait outside in my car in a cold rain for 2 hours. Where else to go? All restaurants, coffee shops and no alternate waiting areas in the building. Wife may need an operation and has the list of complications of age and diabetes. She probably will not make it if she catches the virus. It could be a long time until things are back to normal. But the economy is the more important that listening to science experts since December about what was coming our way. Six weeks to prepare was lost by the Great Orange Leader who always knows more than experts and never takes responsibility for anything when he screws up. Pathetic!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Bob2019

When we did go to a specialist place for medical procedures I was met as the elevator opened and told could not be there or stay in their large waiting (even if 6 feet from anyone else). I could not wait for her and was told to wait outside in my car in a cold rain for 2 hours.

Thanks for sharing your experience. You've given me food for thought.

Spouse has a necessary procedure in about a week and now I wonder if I'll be let in the door. Guess I'll fill the car up with gas and bring a book to read. I'll probably need the gas to operate the air conditioning by then.

[Oaklevel]

Our Governor is / was a Doctor. Here they have been calling for no elective procedures / surgeries for well over a week now.

[CYAH OUT THERE!]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I am scheduled for a Colonoscopy next month and I called to see if there was the possibility it would be re-scheduled.



Was advised that the order came down last night from WA State Gov that all elective procedures are to be cancelled. Reason given is that all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and any essential supplies are to be diverted to First Responders and Hospitals.



Clearly more than just travel plans and camping are being affected.



And here I was hoping to get that behind me

Do cologuard test. Most insurance pays. No prep. No office visit.

[Life Without Whine]

ALL elective use of sterile gloves are to be cancelled & we just received FDA notice this morning to limit the use of all medical grade gloves sterile or not; use food service & similar quality whenever possible.

This is across ALL medical professions including your doctor, dentist & veterinarian. No restrictions on work not requiring the use of protective supplies. Many veterinary offices I know are stepping up & donating our current inventory of critical supplies to local hospitals; hoping our local doctors' & dentists' offices do the same.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by CYAH OUT THERE!

Do cologuard test. Most insurance pays. No prep. No office visit.

I did that 2 years ago. I'd had a colonoscopy 5 years before and they found a benign polyp about the size of a pencil eraser or less. That put me on the 5 year cycle but old Dr (since retired) discussed the next colonoscopy and we decided I'd just do the Cologuard test. It too came back negative.

Fast forward and I now have a new, young, Dr and she immediately started by putting the hard sell on a Colonoscopy (as well as just about every other screening test she could think of). I decided I'd give in and just put up with it one more time (75 is supposed to be the cutoff for regular screening due to possible complications us "older folk" can incur).

So here we are.

FWIW, if you go to a primary care physician who is part of a "Medical Group" as most are today, their group keeps track of the number of referrals they hand out to other specialties within their group. If "management" thinks they aren't doing their fair share they get e-mails and notes from management.

Found this out when my Daughter worked for one of the largest medical groups where I live. She processed the "memo's".

[Bob2019]

I had my colonoscopy this year on December 24 (Christmas Eve) at the VA rather than at a regular hospital. I got to tell you, the VA really does a great job with all kinds of monitoring I've never had before and two people there along with the doctor. One thing you can be pretty assured that is if they see a reason for a test, you get it, and if not, you don't. They are fantastic as there is no incentive for the docs to overdue it as they are on salary. Been there before and I've never been treated better with the professional and dedicated staff.