AAOS Publishes Clinical Considerations Resource to Help Members Navigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

Christopher Naso, MPH

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions. At the end of April, there were more than one million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, with more than 160,000 confirmed in New York City alone. Although New York City is the epicenter of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic, it is also a place we can turn to for guidance on navigating a path forward.

Economics: Private Practices Fight for Survival

Wilford K. Gibson, MD, FAAOS; Madeline Kroll

Spurred by the global pandemic known as COVID-19, the U.S. healthcare system has never faced so many unprecedented challenges simultaneously. When the outbreak first gained traction across the world and then in the United States, physicians across medical specialties were faced with utilizing limited resources to address an overwhelming demand for care by those infected.

Latest AAOS COVID-19 Webinar Updates Members on Return to Elective Surgery, News from D.C., and Telemedicine Coding

Terry Stanton

In a COVID-19 webinar conducted on Thursday, April 23, AAOS’ top leaders provided updates and guidance on returning to elective surgery, the latest news on federal funding legislation, and a recap of advocacy efforts by the Academy’s Office of Government Relations (OGR) to ensure that orthopaedic practices receive fair consideration in spending programs and regulatory accommodation.

Latest COVID-19 Webinar from Academy Leadership Provides Updates on Advocacy, Return to Surgery, and Research

Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

In a COVID-19 webinar presented on May 13, AAOS’ Presidential Line provided updates on advocacy, return to surgery, COVID-19 member research, patient information, and virtual education. Similar to previous webinars, a question-and-answer session shed some light on members’ top concerns about navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporting for Duty: Redeployment Strategies Need to Address Ethical Considerations of Privacy Protection

Alexandra M. Dunham, MD; Zachary Enumah, MD; Casey Jo Humbyrd, MD, FAAOS

As the numbers of COVID-19-positive patients and deaths rise in the United States, health systems are increasingly looking toward redeployment strategies to supply needed staff to overburdened hospitals. The American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics Opinions related to physicians’ responsibilities in disaster response and preparedness specify an obligation to respond during disasters.

Sound Off: Rapid Restructuring of Large Subspecialty Pediatric Orthopaedic Department During Pandemic

Jeanne M. Franzone, MD; L. Reid Nichols, MD, FAAOS; Alfred Atanda Jr, MD, FAAOS

The rapid acceleration of COVID-19 called for significant and rapid restructuring of many facets of care. This can be likened to rapidly rerouting a large cargo ship moving along with significant momentum—a difficult task many departments and practices are currently facing. Our goal in sharing our recent experience is to offer ideas, as different parts of the country must rapidly adapt, and to stimulate discussion of ideas.

How to Create a Telemedicine Program for COVID-19 and Beyond

Alfred Atanda Jr, MD, FAAOS; L. Reid Nichols, MD, FAAOS; Jeanne M. Franzone, MD

A few years ago, a study demonstrated several benefits to utilizing telemedicine, such as increased patient satisfaction, shorter wait times, and decreased costs for patients and orthopaedic departments.

Sound Off: Another Roadblock to Elective Surgery - The Patient

Nitin Khanna, MD, FAAOS

The COVID-19-related disruption of the health sector has been unprecedented. Hospitals have diverted their resources toward managing the onslaught of infected patients. Elective surgeries have been suspended, and non-emergency medical care has plummeted. Health systems have asked the government for financial assistance during this time, as many profitable revenue streams have been virtually eliminated. Mayo Clinic even reported a projected $3 billion loss for the year and has considered pay cuts for almost a third of its work force—nearly 20,000 people.

Do Bundled Payments Impact Quality and Cost of Care?

Gary W. Stewart, MD, FAAOS

Editor’s note: This article is the first part of a three-part series on a roundtable discussion about bundled payments. The second installment will appear in the June issue of AAOS Now. AAOS Now welcomes comments from those in private practice or other settings to share their experience on this topic.