As national and state officials look for ways to safely reopen parts of the economy, local health care officials are exploring ways to restart services that have been on hold for nearly a month.

Jana Panther, spokeswoman for Butler Health System, reported today that the regional health care system is looking at ways to safely resume some health care services, including elective visits, procedures and surgeries.

“Much discussion is taking place among politicians and in the media about 'reopening' the economy, including health care,” Panther said during her daily update to the media Thursday. “It is a relief to begin thinking about resuming elective visits, procedures and surgeries. But this is an exceptionally complex issue, and we are considering it very carefully.”

Panther said no official date has been selected for resuming services, however planning is expected to begin Friday with BHS leadership and its medical staff coming together for initial discussions.

In a statement Thursday, BHS CEO Ken DeFurio said BHS was one of the first systems in Western Pennsylvania to delay elective surgeries and procedures.

“This was done in the interest of staff and patient safety, and in preventing transmission of the coronavirus,” DeFurio said.

DeFurio said the mitigation measure has positively impacted the system's experience with the pandemic, allowing cases to trickle in rather than coming in waves.

“As evidenced by Butler Memorial Hospital not having to open surge units or move patients to off-site care facilities, it is clear that the policy worked,” DeFurio said. “It may appear to some that BHS over-planned and over-prepared, but this is what success looks like.”

Butler Memorial Hospital celebrated its first COVID-19 patient who was on a ventilator to be released from the hospital. Karen Rich went home after spending nearly a month on a ventilator.

According to the state Department of Health, Butler County has no COVID-19 patients using ventilators and three non-COVID-19 patients using three of its 31 total ventilators.

While these may be good signs, DeFurio points out they are not what led BHS administrators to explore the possibility of reopening services.

“I cannot emphasize strongly enough that the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic is not over,” DeFurio said. “The virus will continue to be around for some time — perhaps a year or more.”

DeFurio said “the key consideration” for resuming hospital services will be the safety of patients and staff, but the hospital also needs the income.

“Most people understand that elective surgeries and procedures produce revenue for hospitals and health systems,” he said. “By not doing procedures, the loss of revenue combines with increased pandemic costs to produce severe financial strain on the organization.”

According to Panther, BHS continually talks with other regional health care providers, including UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, Heritage Valley Health System, Excela and Washington Health System, and values their experience and input on this issue too. She said together the health care systems are developing a regional approach as to how and when to resume services.

Panther said BHS is also studying recommendations from the state Department of Health and the Northeast United States coalition of governors, as well as those from U.S. Government health agencies.

DeFurio said the system is preparing for a long bout with this virus. He said BHS has done what it can with the supplies and equipment it has available. But while it works to counteract the coronavirus, it needs to perform elective procedures to stay healthy financially.

“By all accounts, a vaccine is at least a year away,” he said. “BHS is taking a thoughtful and measured approach to resuming elective surgeries. We will keep the public informed of our progress.”

DeFurio said he is thankful for the community's support financially, with supplies, and through emotional support of the BHS staff.

“It has been overwhelming. The community's support is so very much appreciated by every individual at Butler Health System,” he said. “I cannot state our thanks and appreciation strongly enough.”