Governor Extends Non-Emergent Surgery Suspension in Texas
By David Doolittle

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Gov. Greg Abbott today suspended most non-emergent elective surgeries at hospitals in 11 state Trauma Service Areas (TSAs) because of a steady increase in COVID-19 patients.

The proclamation does not affect surgeries or procedures at outpatient or ambulatory services facilities.

"The State of Texas continues to implement strategies to help ensure ample supply of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients," Governor Abbott said in a statement. "By expanding this directive to include the counties within these 11 TSAs, we are freeing up more resources to address upticks in COVID-19 related cases.”

The proclamation extends an executive order issued June 25 that suspended non-emergent surgeries at hospitals in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis Counties. It was extended June 30 to Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, and Webb counties.

Today’s proclamation, which goes into effect Friday, directs all hospitals in counties within the TSAs to postpone surgeries and procedures that are not medically necessary to diagnose or correct a serious medical condition, or to preserve the life of a patient. It also does not apply to “any surgery or procedure that, if performed in accordance with the commonly accepted standard of clinical practice, would not deplete any hospital capacity needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”

The proclamation allows the governor to add or subtract from the list of counties included in the original executive order.

Texas has 22 TSAs, which are overseen by Regional Advisory Councils (RACs).

The following TSAs are included in the Governor's Proclamation:

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Last Updated On

July 09, 2020

Originally Published On

July 09, 2020

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