Elective Surgeries

At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, we thank you for your patience and your support during this time.

We are back to conducting select surgeries in a safe and appropriate manner. We are working together with each of the facilities within our communities to ensure that we can provide a safe experience. 

Our surgery center, Columbus Specialty Surgery Center, is following the procedures listed below to help protect all patients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

  1. All Healthcare workers (HCW) will self-screen using a standard questionnaire and check their temperature immediately upon entering the facility every day.
  2. If a HCW shows any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they will have a COVID-19 IgG test completed and a negative result will be obtained before returning to work at CSSC. (Guidelines for Re-testing will be determined per CDC.)
  3. All patients will be initially screened by telephone pre-op questions as to COVID-19 exposure and/or symptoms.
  4. All patients will have a COVID-19 IgG test performed prior to their scheduled procedure not to exceed more than 7 days before their DOS. If a patient does not receive a test, their surgery will be canceled/postponed. If a positive test result is obtained prior to surgery, their surgery will be canceled/postponed until a negative result is received. In the event results have not been obtained prior to surgery, we will proceed as long as the patient meets all screening criteria. If the patient does not meet screening criteria, their surgery will be canceled/postponed until a negative result is received. Should we receive a positive result after the procedure was already performed, the patient will be notified immediately, and the positive result will be reported to the Bartholomew County Health Department and ISDH. As well, all staff, physicians, visitors, and vendors who were present in the building will be made aware of a possible exposure to a positive patient.
  5. Patients will be scheduled to arrive for registration at the facility at staggered time slots in an effort to maintain social distancing.
  6. Patients will call the facility upon arrival to the parking lot. A staff member will perform a second screening including questions and temperatures checks of both the patient and the family member/visitor, prior to entry into our facility. Surgery will be canceled if the patient or family member/visitor is symptomatic and has a fever of 100.0 or greater.
  7. No visitors will be allowed into our facility. The common areas will be closed to visitors at CSSC. (Exceptions will be made for minor patients, and others deemed necessary to have family assistance i.e. patients with dementia) Pre-approval for visitors only granted by the Administrator as needed.
  8. All patients and visitors will be required to wear a mask/facial covering into our facility. If they do not have one, we will provide them with a disposable procedure mask to wear.
  9. Our waiting room will only be available for visitors as listed above. Seating will be limited in an effort to maintain appropriate social distancing at least 6 feet apart.
  10. Surgeons will speak to family members (who are remaining in vehicles) via phone call when surgery is complete. (Exceptions will be made for face to face in the consultation room conversations for minor patients, and others deemed necessary to have family assistance, i.e. patients with dementia)
  11. The OR nurse will call out to the family member (or delegate) with updates during any procedure taking longer than scheduled.
  12. Tissues and hand sanitizer will be readily available for use by patients, visitors, and staff. CDC cough etiquette signs are posted throughout the facility.  
  13. Enhanced cleaning will be performed throughout the facility. This includes frequent disinfection of all high touch surfaces throughout the day, as well as terminally cleaning OR’s and pre-op/PACU bays between patients.
  14. All staff areas will comply with social distancing guidelines.
  15. If staff develop ANY symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 (fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, loss of taste & smell, for example) they should NOT report to work. Employees should notify their appropriate manager immediately.

In addition, we offer safe in-office visits at all four of our locations, telehealth appointments, and our Orthopedic Urgent Care.

You don’t need to wait any longer to get the orthopedic care you need and start your journey back to doing what you love to do! Schedule your appointment today by calling (812) 376-9353.