The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance on providing non-COVID-19 clinical care during the pandemic.
“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC recommended that healthcare systems prioritize urgent visits and delay elective care to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings,” the guidance says. “A consequence of the pandemic has been the under-utilization of important medical services for patients with non-COVID-19-related urgent and emergent health needs.”
The new guidelines are intended to provide a “framework” for health care systems to begin expanding non-COVID-19 services. At the same time, the guidelines stress the importance of maintaining focus on the trajectory of COVID-19 to be ready for a resurgence of cases.
“Be prepared to rapidly detect and respond to an increase of COVID-19 cases in the community,” the CDC advises.
Providers should continue to use tele-health services to minimize the need for in-person visits.
“Make decisions for expanding necessary care based on the local epidemiology and in concert with recommendations from state and local officials,” the agency said.
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