REGIONAL- Ely-Bloomenson and Cook Hospital are both getting ready to resume outpatient services now that Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order setting up guidelines for safety and permitting elective surgeries. The new rule allows hospitals, along with dentists and veterinarians, to begin offering procedures which can treat chronic conditions, prevent and cure disease, and relieve chronic pain.
“These guidelines allow us to ensure our patient and staff safety and strictly monitor our PPE supply,” said a spokesperson from Ely-Bloomenson. “As coordinating schedules with providers and patients can take some time, we can expect to start slowly and be working back at full capacity within two to three weeks, with the time-sensitive procedures being a priority.”
Ely-Bloomenson has already scheduled specialist visits with Orthopaedics on May 13, Podiatry on May 15, and Urology on June 1.
Patients will be required to follow strict safety guidelines, including wearing a mask, completing a brief questionnaire, and having a temperature check before seeing the specialist.
Cook Hospital is also working on plans to resume colonoscopies and endoscopies on their regular twice a month schedule. The hospital’s outreach director is working with specialists to begin rescheduling appointments, according to CEO/Adminstrator Teresa Debevec.
Executive Order 20-51 will allow hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and clinics, whether veterinary, medical, or dental, to resume many currently-delayed procedures once facilities have developed criteria for determining which procedures should proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a plan to maintain a safe environment for facility staff, patients, and visitors.
“Minnesota has made significant progress in building up critical resources to combat COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “We’re proud that this progress will allow our medical professionals to safely resume certain procedures to keep Minnesotans healthy and improve their quality of life.” 
“We remain committed to preserving and acquiring protective equipment to protect our front-line employees from COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “But health conditions haven’t been put on hold during this pandemic. This action will help Minnesotans get care for chronic pain, treat and prevent disease, and address their health concerns.”
Non-essential and elective surgeries had been put on hold statewide, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This allowed health care facilities to preserve resources and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Since these Executive Orders were issued, Minnesota has made and continues to make significant headway in securing additional personal protective equipment and improving testing and hospital surge capacity, Walz said.