Pathology

Disease

Crisis management

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Economic growth

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Pandemic

Nursing

Workflow

Political science

Health care

Economics

Triage

Credentialing

Telemedicine

Computer science

Medical emergency

Medicine

Database

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Despite the use of digital technology in healthcare, telemedicine has not been readily adopted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems have begun crisis management planning. To appropriately allocate resources and prevent virus exposure while maintaining effective patient care, our orthopaedic surgery department rapidly introduced a robust telemedicine program during a 5-day period. Implementation requires attention to patient triage, technological resources, credentialing, education of providers and patients, scheduling, and regulatory considerations. This article provides practical instruction based on our experience for physicians who wish to implement telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between telemedicine encounters and necessary in-person visits, providers may be able to achieve 50% of their typical clinic volume within 2 weeks. When handling the massive disruption to the routine patient care workflow, it is critical to understand the key factors associated with an accelerated introduction of telemedicine for the safe and effective continuation of orthopaedic care during this pandemic. Level of Evidence: V

Departmental Experience and Lessons Learned With Accelerated Introduction of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis