This week, BJC HealthCare announced the decision to reschedule elective procedures, to ensure bed capacity is available for COVID-19 patients and allow clinical and support staff to focus on areas of the hospital with more urgent needs. At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, this currently only impacts surgeries that require an inpatient bed and can be safely postponed. The decision comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at an all-time high at Barnes-Jewish, across BJC and throughout our region. Patients who are impacted will be contacted by a BJC/WashU team member. Pediatric surgeries are not expected to be delayed.