CORONAVIRUS SURGERY GUIDELINES

During this COVID-19 outbreak and public health emergency, Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center, Cedars Sinai Kerlan-Jobe institute, and Cedars Sinai Medical Network worked together to provide the safest possible care to our surgical and procedural patients.

Although the State, County and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services prohibited elective surgeries initially, we at Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center are now able to continue with elective/urgent/emergent cases. We would like to make you aware of our revised pre-operative guidelines and visitor restrictions.

Under the authority of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Officer of Health Order, we have some strict guidelines in place that you will see on your arrival to our facility.For patients scheduled at Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center please read through these guidelines to understand what to expect on the day of your surgery.

PATIENT VISITOR RESTRICTIONS

Under the authority of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer “Safer-At-Home” to Fight COVID 19 on March 16, 19, 21 and April 1, 2020 and in compliance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20, Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center is restricting visitors to our surgery center and clinic facilities (1 visitor/family member per patient).

Patients and their loved ones must designate a single individual who will be the point of contact for all information and conversations with the care team.
The designated point of contact will be responsible for sharing information with other family members or loved ones that should have this information.
The designated point of contact will hear from a member of the care team when you go into surgery and when you are arriving to our post anesthesia care unit, or more frequently if there are significant changes or the surgeon requests to speak with your point person regarding his/her thoughts on how the surgery progressed.
Some exceptions may apply to patient restrictions such as the case of surgery or procedure on a minor patient, as determined by the care team.

PRE-SURGERY GUIDELINES

Please know we genuinely care about you and will do everything we can to provide you with the safest and best possible care experience.

You can expect to hear from us by phone a day or two after your surgery, within 7 days and around 14 days to assess your condition. If you have any questions or concerns prior to that day, please don’t hesitate to contact your physician’s office.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR SURGERY

MINIMIZE RISK

To help minimize risk of asymptomatic spread of coronavirus during your procedure we ask that you:

Continue to shelter in place to protect yourself from others in the community.
Follow physical distancing of at least six (6) feet (equal to two yardsticks long) and handwashing guidelines. This applies to the person who will be bringing you to and from surgery.
Avoid contact with others or leaving the home as much as possible, for two or three days after your COVID-19 testing, just prior to your surgery.

PRE-SURGERY COVID-19 TESTING

We want to perform your surgery in the safest possible circumstances to give you the best chance of a smooth recovery. One of our healthcare members will reach out to ask you about symptoms and will schedule you for coronavirus testing even if you do not show symptoms consistent with the virus. We are doing this as a precautionary measure so that we have all of the information we need to provide you with the safest care.

DAILY SYMPTOM CHECK

Check for the symptoms daily prior to surgery and notify us if you have any of the following:

Fever ≥ 38.0 C (100.5 F) last 24 hours
New respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, respiratory distress, sore throat)

SELF-QUARANTINE

On the day of surgery you will be required to sign a statement indicating you have strictly followed “self-isolation/quarantine” at home directly after your COVID-19 swab test is taken up until you arrive for surgery.

STAY FLEXIBLE

Your surgery is currently scheduled to proceed on the planned date and time, but we also have to be flexible to deal with any potential changes regarding the capacity of our surgery center and physicians. We would appreciate your understanding if things change, and in return we promise to keep you informed with changes that may occur at Kerlan-Jobe Surgery Center, as well as keeping your best interests in mind.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS FOR DAY OF SURGERY

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF SURGERY

Please have your designated person drop you off one and a half hours prior to your surgery start time at the circle drive main entrance.
To get into the building, you will be required to have on a personal mask or cloth covering both your mouth and nose.
Building security may ask screening questions before you proceed to the main elevators in the foyer.
Take the elevator to the third floor; on exiting the elevator you will be greeted by a member of our team who will take your temperature and have you complete a health screen/survey. After completing the screening you will be escorted to our lobby.

As an extra layer of protection, you will notice our entire staff will be wearing surgical masks, hats, goggles, gloves, gowns, and boot covers. You and your driver will be offered, and be required to wear, a new disposable mask for your safety, while you are with us.
As soon as the surgical team is ready for you, you will be escorted to our pre-op area.
Our surgical staff will keep your designated point person informed of your progress.
After you have recovered in our post anesthesia care unit (PACU), where they will take excellent care of you, we will take you and your point person to an area where we can provide you both with your discharge care instructions.