The Tennessee Department of Health would like you to review the newly released Executive Order 25 regarding the limitation of close medical interaction; delaying elective, non-urgent procedures, and limiting attendance at surgeries and invasive procedures in order to
preserve personal protective equipment (PPE).

https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/…/execorders/exec-order…

The intent of Executive Order 25 is to protect the health care providers, staff, patients, and the community from the transmission of COVID-19 and prevent the unnecessary use of the PPE resources that are in extremely short supply, especially N95 masks. Specifically, the Executive Order addresses the following:

Helps ensure that PPE is preserved, and community spread through close medical interaction is limited during the upcoming weeks in which cases/hospitalizations are expected to increase; Expands Executive Order 18 to more specifically cover all procedures that are elective and non urgent and can be delayed until after the Order without risking serious adverse consequences to a patient; and Limits attendance at surgeries and invasive procedures to essential personnel to preserve PPE to the greatest extent possible We appreciate the concerns and feedback expressed by health care providers during this challenging time. We also encourage you to take these actions seriously as not only do our physical and economic health depend on it, but please be advised that failure to comply is a Class A misdemeanor and may result in possible disciplinary action by your respective board.

Sincerely,

Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP

Commissioner

LP/BC