Therefore, the Governor’s Office has issued clarity regarding some procedures that can go forward while still ensuring there is adequate capacity to deal with COVID-19.

As of April 29 the state of Washington:

• Allows performance of all services considered “emergent” or “urgent” for which delay would result in worsening a life-threatening or debilitating prognosis.
• Allows clinicians to use clinical judgment to determine the need for non-urgent or “elective” procedures, with the qualification that decisions prioritize harm to patients. The state does not provide a definition of “harm” and leaves assessment of harm up to the individual clinician but clinicians should consider if a patient's illness or injury is: causing significant pain, significant dysfunction in their daily life or work, or is either progressing, or at risk to progress.
• Continues to limit healthcare services, procedures, and surgeries that, if delayed, will not cause harm to the patient within the next three months.
• Mandates that performance of healthcare services, procedures and surgeries meet infection prevention and control standards, maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, as well as following Department of Health (DOH)-issued guidance on use of PPE. For permitted procedures requiring an overnight stay, hospitals may not exceed 80% of available bed capacity.

Before a clinician decides to move forward with a non-urgent medical procedure they should read the entirety of Proclamation 20-24 as it offers a level of detail not disclosed here. For any additional questions after reading, please contact Washington Medical Commission (WMC). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fastest way to reach the WMC is via email provided at: wmc.wa.gov/contact-us.

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