Posted on: 22 April, 2020
Thomas D. Ferro, M.D. and the Bone & Joint Center want to let our patients know what steps we are taking to help minimize exposure to COVID-19.
Is it safe to undergo outpatient surgery during this outbreak?
Yes, in fact the surgery center is one of the safest places to be. All of the centers practice extreme hygiene, the staff use protective equipment (masks, gloves, gowns, etc), and we limit waiting room occupancy to allow for extreme social distancing.
Furthermore, we are actively screening all patients and family members prior to in office medical visits and surgery. We are also reducing any unnecessary contact by limiting the waiting room to only a few patients at a time, and family members will wait in their vehicles. Our medical practice employs the most up to date infection control practices, and the office is cleaned thoroughly nightly.
Avoiding crowds and the hospital are important measures everyone should take. After surgery all patients get to recover in the comfort of their own home. We can arrange for a nurse to visit you at home to help with any additional care. We can coordinate the majority of your follow-up care remotely.
Should I reschedule my procedure?
We currently do not recommend rescheduling or postponing your procedure. Outpatient surgery is extremely safe, and the current COVID-19 outbreak has not changed our ability to provide the highest level of care. However, any patients that have developed recent respiratory symptoms or fevers will be asked to reschedule their procedures. Delaying your procedure now could potentially mean a significant delay in the future.
All procedures have time-limited authorizations. You could be required to undergo a new consultation with your surgeon, which would effectively move patients to the back of the line. We expect a glut of consults and surgeries following the end of the COVID-19 outbreak, and thus surgery dates could be significantly delayed. With most people encouraged to stay at home this is the optimal time for an outpatient surgery.
