Cambridge Memorial Hospital cancels elective surgeries citing growing COVID community transmission

Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) has cancelled all elective surgeries effective Dec.18 in an effort to create additional capacity.

The hospital made the announcement Thursday Dec. 17, citing concerns over widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

"Adding to our circumstance, the Medicine A Unit is also in outbreak, which restricts the ability for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to surge if beds are needed," reads the written notice sent out by the hospital.

According to CMH, the cancelling of elective surgeries will allow for its post-anesthetic care unit to meet the growing demands of the ICU.

The cancellation of elective surgeries does not include scheduled cancer surgeries or cases that are urgent and emergent.

"Surgeries that do not require post-operative care (e.g., cataracts) will also continue until need dictates otherwise. Endoscopies scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18 will continue as planned; only urgent endoscopies will proceed thereafter," reads the notice from the CMH.

Diagnostic services and ambulatory services are not affected by the change. However, the hospital said the situation is fluid and may change as planning continues.