Not all patients getting elective surgeries through Aurora Medical Group are getting tested for COVID-19 beforehand.
Due to national testing shortages, Aurora Health is making changes to testing protocols.
They are doing away with testing before many non-COVID-19 related procedures, instead switching to enhanced PPE use. Doctors say for staff, they have an adequate PPE supply.
"If you look at what the CDC is advising, and what our own clinical experience tells us, is it's not absolutely necessary in assuring the safety of our team members and patients to test every single person before every single procedure. So, we've decided to focus our efforts on the highest risk areas of concern, and that would be our aerosol generating procedures," said Dr. Jeff Bahr, Chief Aurora Medical Group Officer.
Doctors say they will still screen people entering, uphold a mask policy and use virtual check ins.
Also, starting today, community testing will also be moved to a central location at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee. All previously scheduled appointments at different locations will move forward as planned.
