Coronavirus Crisis

ODH order on elective surgery

Late yesterday, the director of the Ohio Department of Health signed an order requiring the postponement of elective procedures that use PPE. Below is a summary of key points, but we encourage you to read the order in its entirety here.

what is affected and when

Effective 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, all non-essential or elective surgeries and procedures that use PPE should not be conducted. Non-essential surgeries are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient. The criteria for what constitutes "non-elective" in the order are as follows:

• Threat to the patient’s life if surgery or procedure is not performed;
• Threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system;
• Risk of metastasis or progression of staging; and/or
• Risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms.

The order is written with certain references reflective principally to human healthcare situations. With that in mind, OVMA spoke with the governor’s office this morning to seek clarification and ensure the accuracy of what we are sharing. This order does apply to veterinarians and veterinary procedures.

Effect on Veterinarians

The order is in effect until rescinded and applies to elective veterinary procedures where any PPE would be used—even those that require only surgical gloves and not a mask or gown. However, it is important to note that it is within your best medical judgement using the outlined criteria as to whether a procedure is elective and if postponement reflects a health risk to the animal.

For example: As a general reference, routine dental procedures and spay/neuter surgeries would be considered elective, assuming there are not other mitigating circumstances or health concerns.

Please also note the order also directs healthcare practitioners to eliminate non-essential individuals from procedure rooms and patient care areas to preserve PPE. Again, use your best medical judgment to define what constitutes essential personnel in each individual circumstance. 

OVMA will share additional guidance on this and other aspects of the COVID-19 response as the situation continues to develop.

Veterinarians and "Essential" Personnel

One other point of clarification: There have been concerns raised on whether veterinarians are considered “essential personnel” in any further restrictions on operations. There is no current movement toward such broad orders in Ohio, and there is no current statute that defines “essential personnel.” Generally speaking, medical personnel—including veterinarians—are considered “essential,” as has been the case in areas where recent orders of this nature took effect. OVMA has already communicated with the governor’s office on the important role you play and the need for you to be included as “essential” should any such order be considered in the future.