Traumatic injuries and chronic conditions requiring orthopedic interventions couldn’t simply wait out the storm brought on by COVID-19.
Knowing that important care is “top priority” for these patients, Michael Day, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, and his team at WellSpan Orthopedics in Chambersburg reimagined their approach through telemedicine and installed a new safety plan for office visits.
“The key for all industries including ours is adaptability,” said Day.
“Often people will sustain a traumatic injury that is not serious enough for them to be hospitalized but does need to be dealt with in a time sensitive manner and therefore prompt evaluation is beneficial to them.”
Day continued prompt care by performing dozens of video visits over the past few months to allow patients the option to stay home through COVID-19 restrictions.
Meanwhile, the WellSpan Orthopedics location in Chambersburg looks and performs a little differently these days.
Patient safety comes first
To ensure safety at WellSpan Orthopedics, and all WellSpan locations, safety guidelines have been developed and implemented, requiring staff and patients to wear masks in the office, and mandatory screenings at the entrances of every building.
Additionally, every attempt is made to minimize time spent in the waiting room where chairs are positioned six feet apart and patients are roomed shortly after checking in. Patients also have the option to wait in their cars instead of in a waiting room.
Some ambulatory medical practices, including WellSpan Orthopedics are also extending their services to help patients who might otherwise have started their care journey in an emergency room. By routing patients with urgent orthopedic needs to the office, it reduced traffic and volume at other locations.
Quality orthopedic care continues through COVID-19
While Shippensburg resident Stephen Wilkinson did visit the ER for an injury he sustained to his knee, he experienced quality office care followed by a successful surgery performed by Day during the pandemic.
On the morning of May 18, Wilkinson phoned WellSpan Orthopedics and was seen in the office that same afternoon.
“They heard my sense of urgency and pain,” said Wilkinson, who underwent an MRI that verified the source of his pain and led to surgery to repair his right knee meniscus a few days later at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital.
“The surgical prep team was awesome. They were efficient, knowledgeable, caring and made me feel very comfortable prior to surgery. Dr. Day’s staff and the hospital staff did an outstanding job.”
Wilkinson returned to WellSpan Orthopedics on June 3 for his first post-op visit and continues to recover from surgery.
“I find it very rewarding to see a patient return to function and resume the activities they enjoy,” Day said.
Acclimating to moratorium on some surgeries, local sports
While patients may be experiencing a different health care atmosphere, things have also changed for providers including Day.
The sports medicine side of his practice is different since spring sports were cancelled due to COVID-19, and there is still uncertainty whether Day and his team will be roaming the sidelines of fall sporting events since decisions on whether or when play will begin haven't been made yet.
Since that is a big part of Day’s practice, and there have been less sports-related injuries, he’s been focusing more on general orthopedics through the interim.
COVID-19 restrictions also postponed all elective surgeries for a period of time, but in line with guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, WellSpan Health continues to thoughtfully plan a regional, phased approach which has already led to resuming many services that patients need.
Pre-op procedure now includes routine testing for COVID-19 and the hospital has many other rigorous precautions in place to maintain a safe environment.
Our Commitment to Safety during COVID-19
More information on elective surgeries and procedures
