HOW HOSPITALS ARE KEEPING
PATIENTS SAFE DURING SURGERY
While we are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic and
instructed to stay at home to slow the spread, an
unsettling trend is occurring. People are so fearful that
they will contract COVID-19 that they neglect medical issues that
may require surgery.
“Preparing for surgery can often be nerve-racking and scheduling
a surgery in the middle of the pandemic can heighten that anxiety
more than usual,” says David Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S., General
Surgeon and Chairman of Surgery at Riverview Medical Center.
“We understand that some patients may be hesitant to have surgery
but delaying care can be even more detrimental to your health.”
SAFETY MEASURES
Keeping you safe and healthy is our top priority both in and out
of the hospital. In addition to Riverview’s already rigorous cleaning
processes, we have implemented additional safety measures, which
include the following:
Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces
Using the latest technology, including UV disinfection lighting,
we sanitize rooms and surfaces to eliminate germs
Separating patients with symptoms of COVID-19 to completely
different areas of the hospital
Frequently testing at-risk patients
Aggressively vaccinating health care providers and other
members of the community
SURGERY DURING COVID-19
“Delaying surgery can increase the potential for severe
complications from surgical issues,” says Philip George, M.D.,
General Surgeon at Riverview Medical Center. “Avoiding
treatment for conditions such as diverticulitis, appendicitis or a
gallbladder infection, for example, can lead to perforation, abscess
formation or other potentially damaging conditions if not cared for
in a timely manner.”
Our operating rooms are designed to keep both patients and
clinicians safe during surgical procedures with extensive precautions
including:
After each procedure, the rooms are stripped of linens,
curtains, and any other supplies. If items cannot be cleaned,
they are discarded.
disinfectant to rid surfaces of viruses and bacteria. All
detachable items are removed, disinfected, and sanitized
before returning to the room.
Before the area is cleared to allow patients, frequently touched
surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches and faucet handles
are thoroughly disinfected to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If your surgery requires admission, patient rooms follow the
same cleaning protocols as the operating rooms to ensure that all
surfaces are sanitized. Extensive cleaning is just one of our many
safety precautions in place and our protocols are ever-expanding and
evolving. If worries about the pandemic caused you to delay your
surgery, you should feel comfortable obtaining surgical care with us.
Learn more about Surgical Services available at RiverviewMedicalCenter.com/Surgery
RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER
IS RECOGNIZED FOR BEING
ONE OF THE BEST
RIVERVIEW MEDICAL CENTER IS AMONG THE BEST IN NEW JERSEY.
U.S. News & World Report credits Riverview Medical Center with some of the best care available,
ranking the hospital as high performing across multiple procedures and conditions. While we’re
proud to be ranked among the best, it only inspires us to keep getting better.
Doctors.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.
/Surgery
/Doctors.HackensackMeridianHealth.org