Clinic Visit

The closure of walk-in clinics from massive corporations like Walmart and Walgreens is reflective of a primary care system in crisis, according to experts.

Missed clinic visits were linked to negative treatment outcomes among youth aged 16 to 24 years living with HIV, according to research presented at ID Week 2022.

Among patients with a high risk for chronic kidney disease progression, less than half attend a nephrology visit within 1 year of established risk, according to a recently published study.

Except for states that have had to cease performing elective surgery due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, elective orthopedic surgery has resumed, for the most part, nationwide.

Hospitals were keen to resume elective surgery given the dire financial consequences of the COVID-19 “shut-down.” When restrictions where initially lifted, there was some prioritization of surgical cases based on the urgency of the proposed procedures. At Rush, the ORs were quickly able to ramp up to pre-COVID-19 levels of operational efficiency. Patients are, however, concerned and fearful about hospitalization in what are perceived as “COVID hospitals,” leading to them delaying or canceling elective procedures. With hospitals not allowing or limiting visitors, undergoing surgery and recovering in hospital alone for days can be a daunting and isolating prospect for the patients and their families. These restrictions further lead to patients avoiding elective, but necessary surgeries. All of these factors have resulted in an influx of surgery to ASCs that are perceived as safer given that most ASCs have not participated in COVID-19 care. For surgeons and their families, returning to regular surgical schedules comes with its own level of stress. This raises questions about steps surgeons need to take to keep themselves and their families safe with so much about the virus still unknown.

As states began to see a decline in COVID-19 cases in the months following the call for postponement of all elective surgeries, CMS issued new guidance on how to provide essential care in regions with a low and stable incidence of COVID-19.

From 2013 to 2019, the Urgent Care Association reported an increase in the number of urgent care clinics across the United States, providing more patients with access to treatment of non-life- or limb-threatening conditions and injuries.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OrthoIndy Urgent Care clinics have implemented a few changes to keep employees and patients safe. All patients will continue to go through a screening process upon entry. We will still plan on servicing the injured patient population with proper precautions. Frequently, we will see patients with non-urgent problems. These patients will still be seen, but we may need to delay additional testing or intervention, depending on the patient’s condition.

A recent poll showed that 75% of patients want to return to their doctor’s office after remaining home during the COVID-19 pandemic.