While orthopedic and spine surgeons do not directly treat patients dealing with respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, as cases continue to surge, some providers, staff members and patients are responding to the uptick, while others take a wait and see approach.
"Since we are an orthopedic practice, we are not specifically treating patients with respiratory illness. That said, given the current uptick in respiratory illnesses, both healthcare providers and patients are coming into the offices with masks when symptomatic or exposed to someone with symptoms," Shane Nho, MD, co-director of the division of sports medicine at Rush Orthopedics in Chicago, told Becker's.
As infection rates continue to rise in certain counties nationwide, the risk of an infected patient seeking musculoskeletal treatment also continues to rise.
Orthopedic practices are finding it more important now than ever to keep an eye on infection trends and CDC recommendations to make tough decisions about temporarily closing their doors, or, at the least, bringing back mask mandates in certain areas.
"Obviously, as medical professionals, we have to keep our pulse on the ongoing topic of COVID-19 and flu trends and prevalence. Connecticut Orthopaedics, as one of the largest orthopedic groups in New England, is watching the trend very closely," Michael Redler, MD, a surgeon at Connecticut Orthopedics in Hamden, told Becker's. "We have not changed any mask policies presently. Hartford Healthcare, however, has now reinstituted a mask policy for interaction in clinical areas. They state that they hope this will be short term in nature. Certainly, this is not a return to the pandemic, but I think a proactive way of dealing with current trends and a projected increase in incidence during the winter time."
While COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency, keeping an eye on infection rates and public health recommendations to make decisions on masking and other safety protocols is something that many providers think is here to stay.
"We have not reimplemented mask requirements in our ASC or our practice locations as the state and public health department have not required them. Additionally, the COVID related numbers in our market area have stayed relatively low compared to some other portions of the U.S.," Andrew Lovewell, CEO at Columbia (Mo.) Orthopaedic Group, told Becker's.
Public health officials in Illinois issued a statement in December advising a return to mitigation efforts in healthcare facilities located in counties with high COVID-19 hospitalization levels. Additionally, some hospitals and health systems in New York City and surrounding areas are requiring masks at their facilities, but nothing is being required by law — at least not yet.
"Our office doesn't implement the mask requirement based on spikes in any airborne respiratory conditions," Anis Mekhail, MD, assistant clinical professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and surgeon at Parkview Orthopedic Group, told Becker's. "We only implement mask requirements if mandated at the state or federal level. We also implement it on a case by case basis, as in cases where a patient or employee is suffering from a contagious respiratory illness. Also, we always recommend it for people with lowered immune responses."