Appalachian Orthopedics in Bristol, Tenn., decided to keep its practice open to offer orthopedic urgent care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four things to know:
1. The practice will accept walk-in patients with orthopedic injuries or conditions who need immediate care. Practice locations include imaging, durable medical equipment and physical therapy.
2. Appalachian Orthopedics plans to follow CDC and Tennessee Department of Health guidelines for cleaning and sterilizing the facility. The group has set up a process for patients to be screened upon arrival to ensure sick and at-risk patients do not enter the office.
3. The group has a system in place to avoid crowding in the waiting rooms and will sterilize every exam room between patient visits.
4. The group decided to keep its practice open to alleviate strain on the emergency room and redirect traditionally urgent care traffic for patients with orthopedic concerns to its facilities.
"We know many patients have concerns visiting an ER or traditional urgent care, and our clinics and orthopedic urgent care locations remain open to provide immediate treatment for patients suffering from acute orthopedic injuries and conditions as well as to alleviate some strain on our health system," said T. Lisle Whitman, MD, president of Appalachian Orthopedics.
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