DC Releases Phase One Reopening Guidance for Elective Surgeries

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

DC Releases Phase One Reopening Guidance for Elective Surgeries

May 27, 2020, 13:37 PM by MSDC Staff

Today Mayor Bowser released details on how elective procedures should resume under the first phase of re-opening DC.

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the District would move to phase one of its "re-opening" plan on Friday. As part of the announcement, DC Health released its guidance for resuming or continuing elective surgeries and procedures in the District.

The guidance in its entirety can be seen here but below are a few items of note for DC physicians:

Offices are asked to telephone screen all patients for COVID-19 symptoms prior to their arrival at the office.
All patients are required to wear face "coverings".
Facilities are encouraged to discourage lingering in a waiting room by eliminating chairs and spacing the remaining 6 feet; prohibiting people accompanying the patients if possible; and "maintain low patient volume".
Healthcare facilities should implement sick leave policies for all employees, send home any who have illness symptoms, and ask staff to monitor themselves for symptoms. There is no provision offering free testing for healthcare workers at any time, as the MSDC COVID-19 Task Force has recommended.
Facilities should only open if they possess adequate PPE supplies (more to come on how to do this from MSDC).
All providers should wear surgical masks at all times.

MSDC welcomes your thoughts and comments.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.