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. 2020 May 19:20:293-296.
doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2020.05.014. eCollection 2020 Jul-Aug.

Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinics: A model to lessen the burden on Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic

Madeline C MacKechnie  1 , Molly Nadeau  2 , Ericka Deering  2 , John Thaller  2 , Michael A MacKechnie  2   3
Affiliations

Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinics: A model to lessen the burden on Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic

Madeline C MacKechnie et al. J Orthop. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Objective: Operating duties for orthopaedic surgeons decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Emergency Department (ED) cases surged. Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinics (OWICs) were implemented to manage urgent musculoskeletal cases.

Methods: OWICs, organized in three days, were staffed by one orthopaedic surgeon, one triage person, three medical assistants, and a physician assistant/nurse practitioner.

Results: Musculoskeletal non-emergency ED referrals decreased by 40.6% (p < 0.001) after initiation of the OWICs, allowing optimal use of resources to address the COVID-19 surge.

Conclusion: This paper describes the OWIC model and its preliminary impact. The OWICs could serve as a template for other orthopaedic departments during the pandemic.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Number of patients referred from ED and number of patients seen in OWICs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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