3,800 surgeries postponed in Saskatchewan over COVID-19

As the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tries to keep on its toes and ready for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases, thousands of other surgery patients are being told to wait.

Part of the authority’s plan to deal with the strain COVID-19 could bring was moving to create as much capacity as possible in hospitals. This was achieved, in part, by postponing elective surgeries and procedures and those deemed non-urgent.

The SHA said in a statement that, as of Sunday, April 19, 3,800 surgeries had been postponed due to COVID-19.

These include 797 cataract procedures, 148 shoulder repairs, and 87 tonsillectomies. Elective knee and hip replacements aren’t being done at all, postponing 309 and 172, respectively.

The authority said the surgeon is the one who determines whether a surgery can be pushed back. Cancer surgeries are still being done, but surgeons are the ones prioritizing procedures on a case-by-case basis.

“The SHA understands that waiting for these procedures can be difficult for patients. We are continually evaluating our readiness to handle current and potential increases in demand for care related to COVID, and considering this within the care needs of all patients,” said the SHA in response to questions about patients who might feel their procedure should have been done.

On Tuesday, the head of the SHA, Scott Livingstone, said an update will be provided next week which will include updated numbers and could include a plan that outlines how normal services could start coming back to the authority.