After weeks of prohibition during the COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgeries will begin again at Florida hospitals. That renews a critical source of revenue for hospitals that, despite being on the front lines of a health crisis, have seen many functions go dark.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is now scheduling procedures, some delayed almost two months. “I am confident that we have the expertise and infection prevention precautions in place to safely resume operations for all of our patients and team caring for them,” said Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder.

Gov. Ron DeSantis initially ordered a ban on procedures out of concern for a shortage of protective equipment like face masks should hospitals be overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. But with new cases on a gradual decline, DeSantis lifted that restriction as of today.

Kevin DiLallo, CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital, said it’s welcome news operations can return, but stressed to the public that the pandemic is still impacting procedures at facilities. “I want to assure the public that we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of patients and staff during this challenging time,” he said. “To give patients greater piece of mind, the hospital implemented additional safety protocols that include: screening temperature checks and health questions being asked at entry points before anyone is allowed to enter the hospital; deep cleaning and disinfection; suspended visitation; as well as practicing appropriate social distancing,”

Verinder noted that there have been advanced in rapid testing for COVID-19 that also allow better use of resources, namely that physicians can determine if patients have the coronavirus shortly after they are admitted rather than having to wait days for the Department of Health to return tests and assume a patient contagious for that entire time.

The financial hit for the hospital has been significant. SMH experienced a $16 million reduction in revenue in March alone as surgery cases dropped 50% and inpatient services dropped by 30%.

And advances continue, including locally. Manatee Memorial has been the site of clinical trials for the use of convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to treat those suffering from the disease now. ““COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has the potential to offer effective therapy for patients with severe or life-threatening infection, due to the current pandemic utilizing health care systems, already in place,” said Dr. Eliot Godofsky, MMH clinical investigator.

SMH officials are closely monitoring use of the antiviral remdesivir, which has been fast-tracked by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment. Locally, physicians have been allowed on a trial basis to give the anti-viral to all SMH patients who end up hospitalized on ventilators. While there’s only a small amount of data, Dr. Kirk Voelker, SMH medical director of clinical research said there’s promise.

“The process is working very well due to hard work of clinical research staff,” he said.