Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente announced March 15 that all nonemergency medical and dental procedures in Oregon and Southwest Washington will be postponed through the end of the month, according to The Oregonian.
Patients can either reschedule their appointments or ask to visit with a provider through a virtual appointment. Kaiser has decided to postpone nonemergency appointments to handle the anticipated influx of patients during the coronavirus outbreak. The health system wants to reserve medical staff and supplies for the most critical patients.
The coronavirus outbreak has affected hospital's supply of products, including goggles, swabs, face shields and masks. By reducing dental appointments by 75 percent, Kaiser estimates it will save 100,000 masks and 250,000 gloves per month.
Kaiser has already postponed 420 surgical cases. The health system plans to reassess the situation at the end of the month.