CHI Health, based in Omaha, Neb., said it will stop requiring COVID-19 tests before elective surgeries because Abbott can't meet the current demand for testing reagents, local Nebraska news station KSNB reported July 21.
Abbott told CHI Health that its supply of testing reagents will be limited for the next four to five weeks.
CHI Health was one of the only health systems in the area requiring a COVID-19 test before an elective surgery, KSNB reported.
CHI Health said suspending pre-surgical COVID-19 testing won't affect its elective surgeries.
"Surgeons and staff will continue to wear proper N95 masks and other essential PPE at all times to protect our medical teams and our patients. CHI Health does not have a PPE shortage and the safety of our patients and staff remains our highest priority. By suspending pre-procedural tests, we are able to preserve tests for people experiencing symptoms in the communities we serve," a CHI Health spokesperson told KSNB.
Read the full article here.