Johnstown-based Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics-Conemaugh Physicians Group has rescheduled 120-plus procedures since March 20, according to The Tribune-Democrat.
What you should know:
1. Pennsylvania's five-week ban on elective procedures helped the group conserve personal protective equipment and prepare for a possible surge in COVID-19 patients, orthopedic surgeon Richard Schroeder, MD, told The Tribune-Democrat.
"Doing elective surgery got put on the back burner for all the right reasons," Dr. Schroeder said.
2. Pennsylvania's health secretary loosened elective case restrictions April 27, so Conemaugh Physicians Group is planning to quickly resume treatment for "quality-of-life problems," such as knee arthritis, with visitor restrictions and screening protocols in place, according to Dr. Schroeder.
3. Conemaugh is beginning with a backlog in outpatient surgeries, which make up the bulk of delayed cases.
"It's going to be a pretty significant amount of work to catch up," he told The Tribune-Democrat.
"We anticipate working long hours."
4. Dr. Schroeder commended Conemaugh Health for keeping medical staff updated during the evolving situation.
"They were very aggressive and forward-looking. To their credit, they made the tough decision to cut back on surgery — because it was the right thing to do," he said.