Cancer Surgery

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to make major changes in our daily lives. Smilow Cancer Hospital has also made several changes to the way we care for our patients, including surgeries for cancer treatment. We realize that this is a very difficult time to be a patient, and we have taken a number of steps to make our cancer treatment and care as safe as possible for all our patients.

If you are scheduled for an upcoming surgery, it is essential that you follow guidelines for social distancing. Please isolate as much as possible, and stay away from friends and family members who have been ill, feverish, or have been in contact with other individuals known to have COVID-19-related symptoms or illness. Please review the following information, prior to your upcoming surgery.

In order to protect our patients and staff, we are currently testing all patients prior to surgery for COVID-19 (even if you do not have any symptoms or fever). In addition, a thorough personal history will be reviewed. Testing will be scheduled 3 days before your scheduled surgery. You will be called for an appointment time. If you do not receive a time, if you cannot make the appointment, or if you have any additional questions regarding COVID-19 testing, please call the Yale New Haven Health Call Center at 833-ASK-YNHH (833-275-9644). The results of the test will be available the morning of your surgery. If your test result is positive, you will not be able to have surgery on that day. You will receive further information for follow-up care through your care team at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

Patients who have a temperature above 100 F should contact their care team before coming in for surgery. You will be asked for more information regarding your symptoms. If you have a fever or have certain symptoms, you will likely not be permitted to have surgery. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be sent home or to another part of the Smilow Cancer Hospital for additional care.

All of our patients and staff will be wearing masks during your stay. A mask will be provided as you enter the hospital from the parking garage.