August 31, 2021
Hospital makes COVID-19 operational changes
Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii taking steps to care for COVID-19 patients.
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente announced that it will be initiating a phased approach of postponing nonurgent surgeries and procedures at Moanalua Medical Center. Starting Monday, August 30, a small number of operations will be impacted but more patients could be affected in the coming weeks.
“As we continue to work through the most severe surge of the pandemic thus far, we’re taking steps to meet the health care needs of our patients and the community,” said Zamir Moen, MD, chief of medical staff at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center.
Hospital leaders are monitoring the situation, and pending COVID-19 case counts and hospital admissions, they could postpone more nonemergency surgeries and procedures in the coming weeks. All patients will be notified if their surgery or procedure is affected.
Due to the increasing pandemic surge, Kaiser Permanente on Maui is also postponing and rescheduling all nonessential (elective) procedures and surgeries as well as some specialty and primary care appointments effective Monday, August 30.
Patients with existing appointments, procedures, or surgeries do not need to call or email their provider. Any patients affected by these changes will be contacted by Kaiser Permanente.
Staff freed up by these changes will be redeployed to other areas of the hospital and other facilities to meet the critical COVID-19 care delivery needs as well as assist with testing, same-day and urgent care, and vaccinations.
These changes are expected to remain in place for the next several weeks. Kaiser Permanente clinical leaders will continue to monitor the situation and adapt as needed.
“We’re at a critical stage,” said Dr. Moen. “We need to stop coronavirus transmission in the community to prevent our entire health care system from becoming overwhelmed. Please get vaccinated, wear your mask, and avoid large gatherings.”
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
