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A message from Triangle Region's COO

The physicians and medical staff at EmergeOrtho-Triangle consider it of the utmost importance that we remain dedicated to the safety of our patients and colleagues during this unprecedented time. Our number one priority is to provide the safest environment we can for our patients and medical professionals.

Our goal with this message is to provide you with information regarding the environment you will experience while in our care.

We are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as our state government recommendations to direct our safety efforts during your time with us. In order to protect our patients, we have implemented the following:

  • Pre-screening patients during calls.
  • Screening all patients, visitors, colleagues, and providers upon arrival to include temperature check, assessment of any travel, virus exposure, and experience with related symptoms.
  • Everyone entering the building will be required to wear a mask or face covering for the duration in the building.
  • Implementing social distancing throughout the building.
  • Strict visitor policies are in place to limit the number of people in the office.
    • Only one visitor for minors or the elderly, no other visitors allowed.
  • Following infection prevention protocols.
  • Visual alerts (signs, posters) have been placed at all entrances and in strategic places throughout the facility providing instruction on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette.
  • Ensure supplies are available (tissues, waste receptacles, alcohol-based hand sanitizer)
  • All staff, and physicians are provided the appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • All employees are educated on proper cleaning methods and are cleaning work areas and high touch objects multiple times daily.

These are unprecedented times. We want to assure you that we are making every effort to ensure your safety. We want to thank all of our patients for the continued opportunity to provide your healthcare.

Sincerely,

Karen F. May,
Chief Operating Officer

We recommend these trusted resources for the lastest information on COVID-19:

Triangle Region Telemedicine

Triangle Region offers Telemedicine (virtual) visits, same day appointments and orthopedic urgent cares. Three walk-in urgent cares are OPEN seven days a week!

  • Raleigh and Durham: Monday – Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
  • Apex: Monday – Thursday 12:00 pm – 9:00pm Friday – Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region is doing our part to continue keeping our patients, doctors, and teammates safe. We are following the most current guidelines set by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Task Force (NCDHHS).

While in-person visits are limited to essential/emergency-related purposes, for the time being, our Triangle area physicians continue our commitment to patient-centered care by expanding our orthopedic telemedicine reach.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the ‘fast-forward’ button on the wholesale embracing of telemedicine by insurance carriers,” says EmergeOrtho-Triangle’s medical director, Dr. William Silver. “It’s a great opportunity to keep our patients, our staff, and our providers ‘socially distanced’ and help slow the spread of the virus.”

Learn more about how you and those you care for can receive the same high-quality, subspecialty orthopedic care, through virtual platforms such as FaceTime, Google, Duo, and more on your phones, laptops, desktops, and other smart devices.

How Telemedicine Works With EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region

Though you may not know it, telemedicine has been utilized by EmergeOrtho prior to the emergence of COVID-19. In fact, virtual orthopedic visits have been quite successful for issues such as joint replacement consultations for commuting patients.

In addition to joint replacement consultations, there are other types of subspecialty orthopedic telemedicine services that can be approached virtually, which include:

  • New patient visits for new orthopedic conditions
  • Follow-up visits (including many post-surgical appointments)
  • Virtual diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
  • Treatment options for select orthopedic-related injuries and conditions
  • Physical therapy treatment, recommendations, and follow-up consultations

In order to provide telemedicine services, you will need to use one of the following to effectively communicate with your orthopedic doctor:

  • Smartphone (cell/mobile phone)
  • iPod (or similar smart device) with camera
  • iPad (or similar tablet) with camera
  • Laptop with Camera

It is also important to make sure you have a decent-to-strong internet connection that is compatible with either Chrome or Safari Browser.

FOR GOOGLE DUO USERS

If you have not used Duo on your device before, follow these instructions:

  • To Install Duo on your phone:
    • Go to the google Play Store
    • Search for “google Duo”
    • Click “Install” then “Open” once it is loaded
    • Once Duo opens, answer the following questions:
      • Agree to privacy
      • Give access to microphone
      • Allow access to contacts, or not, whichever is your preference
      • Allow to make calls
      • Set up with phone number (this will send you a text message to verify your phone number)
        • Click “Agree”
        • Type the verification code sent to your phone via text
DOXY.ME USERS:

EmergeOrtho is using doxy.me to conduct Telemedicine visits. Doxy.me is a secure virtual platform available for patients to use safely from home. Learn more about how to ensure your microphone and camera are enabled for doxy.me.

iPhone Instructions

Android Instructions

FOR iPHONE USERS

If you have not used FaceTime on your device before, follow these instructions:

  • Open the FaceTime app
  • Sign in with your Apple ID
    • FaceTime is automatically linked to your phone number for iPhone users

DOWNLOAD THE EMERGEORTHO-TRIANGLE APP – The EmergeOrtho app is used by providers to communicate and share data with their patients. Download the EmergeOrtho-Triangle app on Google Play or the Apple Store.

What Issues Cannot be Addressed Through Telemedicine?

Although our physicians can address numerous orthopedic-related issues remotely, there are a few types of visits that cannot be performed via telemedicine, which include:

  • Viscosupplementation injections
  • Trigger-point Injections
  • Cortisone injections
  • Pre-op consultations
  • In-house procedures
  • Cast changes
  • Fracture care

There may be other types of orthopedic visits that are not suitable for a virtual visit. Simply reach out to an EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region team member if you are unsure about whether a specific type of visit can be conducted via telehealth.

What About Patient Privacy Guidelines?

While many regulatory barriers that existed prior to coronavirus have been temporarily paused, making telemedicine more accessible to providers and patients, privacy is still strictly enforced. While HIPAA compliance allows for use of telemedicine on smart devices, it prohibits the use of “public-facing” platforms (Facebook Live, Twitch, TikTok, etc.).

As always, our EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region doctors and staff are committed to your privacy, ensuring that your information is safely protected.

Will My Telemedicine Visit Be Covered by Insurance?

In light of the current health guidelines intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many insurance carriers are reimbursing telemedicine visits. It is always wise to contact your insurance provider prior to scheduling medical services (including telemedicine appointments) to confirm coverage. Medicare patients should click here to learn their state’s regulations regarding telehealth services coverage.

What if I Need Emergency Orthopedic Care?

All of our Triangle Region Urgent Care locations remain open to address emergency orthopedic injuries and conditions that cannot be treated via telehealth such as sprains, strains, fractures, and infections. During this time, we continue to go above and beyond the CDC recommendations for screenings, decontamination, and other health and safety precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Schedule Your Telemedicine Appointment

Thankfully, many musculoskeletal issues can be addressed through telemedicine. If you are curious about whether your orthopedic injury or condition can be evaluated through a virtual visit in real-time or an online PT session, start the scheduling process now. Or, call us now at 919-220-5255.

Whether face-to-face or a distant site consultation via telehealth, EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region is dedicated to practicing evidence-based, personalized orthopedic care. Our ultimate goal is to help you Emerge Stronger. Healthier. Better.

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EmergeOrtho

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