This afternoon, Gov. Polis signed an executive order temporarily suspending elective and non-essential surgeries and procedures to preserve important medical equipment, like personal protective equipment and ventilators, needed to combat COVID-19. The executive order is in effect from March 23 to April 14, with the exception of rural and critical access hospitals. This includes all voluntary or elective surgeries or procedures, whether medical, dental, or veterinary.
Permitted surgeries or procedures are permitted when there is:
- A threat to the patient’s life
- A threat of permanent dysfunction to an extremity or organ system
- A risk of metastasis or progression of staging of a disease or condition or
- A risk that the patient’s condition will rapidly deteriorate if the procedure or surgery is not performed.
Read the full press statement
Read the full executive order
The state of Colorado is requiring any healthcare provider, not part of a hospital facility or business, who has PPE, ventilators, respirators and anesthesia machines to inventory supplies no later than March 26. More details will be forthcoming on how to submit the inventory to the state including potential exemptions for supplies that are required for the provision of critical healthcare services. The CDA will let you know as soon as more information is available.
