The term "elective surgery" suggests a medical procedure that's not a priority, something that can be delayed without major concern.
Not exactly.
Elective surgeries include burning away warts or moles or having kidney stones removed.
Other examples are procedures that fix a bum knee, Gov. Walz himself had that done last summer, or a doctor's visit to help check the advance of cancer.
They are done "electively," chosen by the patient, but they can also be life-changing procedures.
Related: Walz: Expansion of elective surgeries expected to come soon
Minnesota's peacetime emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak included a hold on elective surgeries, a move geared to allow hospitals and clinics to devote more staff and energy to infected patients.
Millions of dollars in revenue lost because of the delay order, in addition to increasing COVID-19 preparations, has led to projected financial shortfalls at hospitals in Minnesota, and layoffs and furlough of staff.
As important as that is for the state's health care system, Dr. David Hilden of HCMC says some of those delayed procedures can't wait much longer.
"Part of the price of delaying those things is delayed care for cancer, delayed care for other chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes," Hilden told Dave Lee on the WCCO Morning News.
"Imagine if you're a woman who just had a mammogram just before this thing started and there was a lump in your breast," he said. "You can only wait so long on that."
Dr. Hilden said HCMC's intensive care unit is busier than he's ever seen it, but with advances in procedures that include a better-equipped staff and beefed up stockpiles of protective equipment, the health care system is well-suited to cover elective surgeries at a safe level.