How ASCs are approaching COVID-19 testing

Alan Beyer, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical director at HOI shares his thoughts with Becker's about how Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are approaching safety measures for orthopedic patients during the past month. read the article here.

Alan Beyer, MD, orthopedic surgeon and executive medical director, Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Irvine, Calif.): Out of an abundance of caution, all patients undergoing elective surgery procedures are required to obtain COVID-19 testing five days prior to surgery. Following the test, all patients will be required to quarantine at home prior to arrival at the facility for their surgical procedure.

HOI has taken additional safety measures to ensure the safety of all, including:

• Patient screening at admission in accordance with CDC guidelines, including temperature, health and travel history
• Visitor limitations
• Screening and limiting all personnel to facility
• Limiting personnel in the operating room
• Implementing new protocols and procedures for staff and clinicians including but not limited to masking, distancing guidelines and hand-washing

Given the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly evolving, be sure to check our Elective Surgeries Preparation page which will be updated regularly as our safety measures may change.