Bertrand Chaffee Hospital to Postpone Non-Essential Elective Surgeries

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, in accordance with directive from the New York State Department of Health, is postponing all non-essential elective surgeries until further notice, effective Friday, December 4, 2020. Per the NYS Department of Health, all hospitals in Erie County are required to follow this directive.

The postponement is part of Governor Cuomo’s Winter Plan, announced on Monday, November 30. The surgery postponement directive may be extended to other counties in order to ensure the availability of resources within each hospital needed to treat the increasing volume of COVID-positive patients.

The NYS Department of Health directive outlines specific detail on actions to take based on the type of surgery and health of the patient. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is in contact with patients scheduled for upcoming scheduled surgical procedures; should patients have additional questions or if further assistance is needed, please contact the Surgical Center at (716) 794-3295 or their respective provider.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital assures you that we are here for our community to meet your health care needs and encourages community members to continue to practice proper mask wearing, social distancing, handwashing, and limiting your time out in public and in groups of any size. Thank you for working hard to keep our community safe.

Update Regarding Elective Surgeries at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital continues to await official written directives from New York State regarding the NYS Governor issued directive around suspension of elective surgery issued on Monday, November 30.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, along with other hospitals throughout Erie County, is seeking clarification on this directive. For example, does this only mean elective/planned surgery that requires an overnight stay, does this impact same-day procedures, etc. We are advocating that Erie County, including Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, keep same-day and emergent procedures versus those that require an overnight stay (“inpatient electives”). Presently, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, following guidance from the NYS Department of Health, pre-screens and tests all surgical patients prior to their scheduled procedure.  

Once we receive further direction and information from New York State regarding restriction or resumption of cases, we will communicate appropriately with our providers, staff and patients.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has been working with the NYS Department of Health, Erie County Department of Health, and Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) to find out more information about how these new requirements will impact our operations and ability to continue to provide care for patients.