13 Jul Illinois Pain Institute Helps Residents Go Pain-Free During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Safe Outpatient Procedures
Barrington, Illinois. June 24, 2020 — The Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute are excited to announce that they are offering elective procedures once again. Both ambulatory surgery centers have implemented screening and CDC-mandated safety guidelines to protect patients against exposure to COVID-19 while providing much-needed relief. These measures allow patients to undergo any of the procedures, including vertebroplasties, discographies, and facet blocks. With each procedure, patients can rest assured that the staff has taken every measure possible to protect against the coronavirus, infections, and other complications.
As ambulatory surgery centers, the Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute have established programs to prevent infections. Both surgical centers boast extremely low infection rates that are well under the averages of area hospitals. This is in line with the national trend that shows that ambulatory surgery centers have lower infection rates, fewer readmission rates, and fewer emergency room visits after procedures. With fewer risks, ambulatory surgical centers like the Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute expect to see an increase in patients during the pandemic.
While both facilities always take special care to protect patients and prevent infections, they are currently taking special measures due to the rise of COVID-19 in the country. This includes providing telehealth consultation for patients. Patients can undergo a telehealth screening via a phone or video chat prior to visiting one of the seven Chicagoland clinics. While this was implemented as a result of COVID-19, many patients choose it for convenience. They enjoy setting up their surgical procedures over the phone or video chat. It saves time and money as they prepare for their procedures.
Special measures are also taken at the clinics. All employees, including clerical staff, are screened for coronavirus each morning before entering the clinic. This includes questioning staff members about their interactions and taking their temperatures. Those who are at risk are sent home for self-quarantine. Also, staff must wear masks at all times to protect patients. They wear protective coverings even when they are not interacting with staff and patients to prevent respiratory droplets from entering the air. Wearing masks has proven effective in preventing people from spreading the virus, so patients can enter these pain clinics with confidence.
Finally, both pain clinics are using social distancing in the waiting room to limit exposure between patients. While hospitals are often overcrowded, the pain clinics can limit the number of people in the waiting room and even send people directly back to treatment rooms, so they do not interact with other patients at all. This allows patients to safely wait for procedures without worrying about being exposed to the coronavirus. All areas are also regularly cleaned, so patients do not have to worry when sitting. The sterile clinic is safe, even for those who are considered high risk for developing coronavirus-related complications.
About Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute
The Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute are Joint Commission Accredited surgical centers. There are seven locations in all, allowing people to receive the care they need in the Chicagoland area. The clinic has received several accolades, including winning Castle Connolly’s Top Pain Doctor Award 10 times. Both ambulatory surgical centers offer over 25 treatments and accept more than 30 insurance plans. To learn more about the Illinois Pain Institute and the Barrington Pain & Spine Institute, visit https://illinoispain.com or call 800-340-7246 to set up a consultation.