Why the COVID-19 Crisis is Accelerating the Shift to Outpatient TJA

How top institutions are utilizing remote monitoring, telehealth, and stringent PPE protocols to minimize patient contact and maximize safety.

Originating in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, with the first reported cases in December 2019, the COVID-19 virus has infected millions worldwide. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and as of the date of this publication, over 114 million people worldwide have been infected with the virus, resulting in over 2.5 million deaths. The health and economic consequences have been profound and have affected nearly all countries across the globe, and will persist for years.

The COVID pandemic has created a unique and challenging environment in which to provide safe care for hip and knee arthroplasty patients. During the peak of the crisis, the sudden cessation of elective surgeries halted routine orthopedic care, leaving patients in pain and healthcare systems scrambling to adjust. As the dust settles, the field of orthopedics must adapt to this persistent reality.