12/28/20 Provider Advisory: Proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibit certain medical and dental procedures unless specific procedures and criteria are met

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Notice: This document replaces the WCHD Health Alert of the same name that was posted 12/24/20.

Requested Actions

Be aware, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures unless certain specific procedures and criteria are met. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so long as access to PPE is sufficient and, for hospitals, surge capacity is at least 20%.

Background

Proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibit certain medical and dental procedures unless specific procedures and criteria are met.

  • Because of rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases across the state, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24, issuing proclamation 20-24.2 on Nov. 25. prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures unless specific procedures and criteria are met. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so long as access to PPE is sufficient and, for hospitals, surge capacity is at least 20%. Guidance and updates are available on Northwest Healthcare Response Network’s (NWHRN’s) website.
  • Proclamation 20-24.2 differs from 20-24.1, issued May 18 in requirements for documentation of contingency care phase plans and procedures, and in clarifying the criteria for conditions that could cause harm within 90 days if a non-urgent procedure is postponed.

Note: Direct questions to Onora Lien, Director of NWHRN, at onora.lien@nwhrn.org.

Additional resources

For more information:

Whatcom County Health Department, 1500 N State Street, Bellingham WA 98225 | 360-778-6100 Main | 360-778-6150 24-hour Communicable Disease Program Report Line | 360-778-6101 Fax