ELKO, Nevada – Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (NNRH) announced today that it is taking the appropriate steps to safely resume some elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were previously rescheduled out of an abundance of caution amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The decision to reschedule procedures when clinically appropriate was made in accordance with federal and state guidance, and aimed to help preserve critical resources in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients in the community. Today, current projections indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region, which means less strain on healthcare resources.

“Resuming these important services is an essential component of meeting our community’s health needs and advancing our mission of Making Communities Healthier,” said Steve Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of NNRH. “As this work gradually gets underway in our hospital again, we remain committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, and ensuring that our facility is a safe place for all patients, providers and employees.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, NNRH has continued to carefully follow guidance from federal, state and local officials, while monitoring the prevalence of the virus in the community and conserving supplies and resources – including personal protective equipment like masks, gowns, gloves and goggles.

The decisions about which procedures can safely move forward will be made only after assessing a comprehensive pre-operative checklist and evaluating potential risks. The hospital will initially focus on scheduling patients with more time-sensitive health needs, and those decisions will be made in partnership with the attending physician. Patients who are scheduled and approved for procedures must meet specific requirements, including passing standard COVID-19 screenings. Surgical patients will also be asked to practice “safer at home” behaviors for seven days prior to their procedure to minimize potential exposure. They will need to check their temperature twice a day during this seven-day period and report temperatures over 100°F to their provider. Finally, all surgical patients will undergo testing for COVID-19 prior to their procedure.

Patients awaiting information about their previously postponed procedure can expect to hear from their provider or provider’s office to discuss rescheduling at the appropriate time.

NNRH will continue to screen and mask everyone who enters the facility and maintain a zero-visitor protocol for the foreseeable future. These important measures have had a positive impact on ensuring a safe environment, and they also are aligned with the federal government’s guidelines. Additionally, the facility has implemented new processes and procedures to further protect the health of patients, providers and employees. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

As a reminder, if you are having a medical emergency, you should call 9-1-1 or go directly to the Emergency Room. If possible, tell the dispatch agent if your emergency involves symptoms related to COVID-19.