CHOMP to expand services and elective surgeries gradually

MONTEREY, Calif. — Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is expanding or resuming many services and elective surgeries that were scaled back or paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients can now also get essential care that is not urgent, but still time-sensitive.

The hospital says keep patients and staff safe, they are following strict protocols from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including screenings, testing in some instances, and use of personal protective equipment.

The expanded services, hours, and/or locations are in radiology, lab work, physical, speech, and occupational therapy, screening mammograms, and bone density screenings.

In addition, they say they've begun a slow, measured introduction of elective surgical services. The resumption started in the Outpatient Surgery Center, with endoscopies and eye surgeries, and is continuing in the main operating rooms. Scheduled elective surgeries include a broad range of procedures such as joint replacement, spine, neurology, urology, and gynecology. Cosmetic surgery will not resume at this time. Surgeries and procedures for life-threatening and urgent issues have continued without disruption.

“We’re happy to be able to resume and expand services and procedures that community members have been patiently waiting for,” says Dr. Steven Packer, president/CEO of Community Hospital. “We are doing so with methodical preparation and care, following the protocols of the CDC and organizations including the American College of Surgeons to ensure that patients and staff are safe. The safety of our patients and staff is our first priority.”

The most up-to-date information can be found on the website, www.chomp.org.