BIDMC resumes elective surgeries, procedures and clinic visits; launches Safe Care initiative

Boston – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), part of Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH), has resumed non-urgent, elective surgeries, procedures and clinic visits following the state’s lifting of restrictions due to COVID-19 this week. BIDMC announced the launch of BILH Safe Care, a set of rigorous standards to protect the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff. 

As part of the state’s phased re-opening plan, BIDMC is again providing a broad range of elective inpatient and outpatient procedures and services, including diagnostic screening tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Patients should contact their primary care provider or specialist for more information and to schedule an appointment for services that cannot be done via telehealth. BIDMC is pleased to offer a wide range of telehealth options for many specialty areas, as well as primary and urgent care.

“The hardworking caregivers and staff of BIDMC have proudly served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to stand ready to meet the health care needs of our patients and our community,” said Pete Healy, president of BIDMC. “As we enter a new phase in our state’s ‘new normal,’ we are safely welcoming patients back for the routine and preventive in-person services they need to stay healthy by implementing new safety measures.”

Now in place at BIDMC, BILH Safe Care combines new processes, standards and technologies to promote patient safety, including: 

• A three-point symptom check to confirm patients are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 before their in-person visit, as well as daily symptom checks for staff;
• Separate care areas for patients with symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the past 21 days;
• Universal masking requirements for patients, escorts and staff;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of exam rooms, high-touch areas and common spaces; and
• Redesigned spaces to accommodate touch-free check-in and check-out, physical distancing and safe pedestrian traffic flow.

BIDMC also offers virtual care options for many specialty areas, as well as primary care and urgent care. Learn more about BIDMC’s telehealth options here.

“Members of our community understandably have lots of questions about in-person health care visits as COVID-19 continues to present significant challenges,” said Anthony Weiss, MD, chief medical officer at BIDMC. “We have developed a Safe Care Plan that ensures we can continue to provide the very best care – whether for a routine check-up, preventative testing or an emergency – in a safe environment for both our patients and our staff.”