Safe Spine Surgery during COVID-19 (and Always)

For patients who need spine surgery, relief can’t come soon enough. However, some patients may worry about the safety of spine surgery, especially during a time like the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re considering a procedure but concerned about surgery safety, learn about the precautions Dr. Sandro LaRocca and the staff at New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., take – both in normal and COVID-19 times.

A Closer Look at Our Ongoing Safety Measures

At New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., Dr. LaRocca and our entire staff always abide by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and all New Jersey regulations that pertain to medical offices. This involves everything from screening patients to cleaning the office and ensuring we use the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). We adhere to these protocols at all times and are especially diligent in carrying out these important responsibilities during the pandemic.

At our offices in Lawrenceville, Mount Laurel, North Brunswick, and Wall Township, patients can expect the following during their appointments leading up to surgery:

• Dr. LaRocca, medical staff, and patients are strictly and carefully screened for COVID-19 for everyone’s safety.
• When remote appointments are possible, such as diagnostic evaluations and surgical planning, we make telemedicine available to reduce exposure and risk of virus transmission.
• We prioritize providing immediate care to patients with the most acute need for treatment and who are at the highest risk for experiencing complications from COVID-19.
• All staff wears masks and other personal protective equipment, and they practice social distancing.
• Dr. LaRocca ensures not to overlap appointments so waiting rooms are not full of patients.
• Strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines of sanitation and infection control are followed, with hand sanitizer available for patients.

Ensuring Your Safety at the Hospital

No matter the circumstances, we are committed to serving our patients with the treatment they need to ensure their conditions do not progress any further. This is especially true for our patients who have an upcoming surgery scheduled with Dr. LaRocca at a nearby hospital. While we always take every necessary precaution to make spinal surgery at the hospital as safe as possible, it’s only natural to have more cause for concern during the pandemic.

If you or a loved one is worried about a hospital visit for spine surgery, you can place your trust in New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C. Dr. LaRocca and the team are fully aware of all hospital protocols regarding COVID-19 and keep all patients informed with the latest information. Also, know that we are closely monitoring the trends of COVID-19 cases in our area, and we will act promptly to cancel and reschedule surgeries if the risk of contracting the virus at the hospital is too high.

There are also some additional measures that patients can take to enhance their safety even more. They should use extreme caution in the 14 days leading up to their surgery, including self-isolating at home. And while many appointments leading up to a surgery must happen in person, not all have to. Whenever possible, schedule telemedicine visits. You can evaluate options, discuss surgical plans, and ask about requirements – all remotely.

Choosing Surgeons You Can Trust

It’s always important for patients considering spine surgery to vet their options fully – and even more so during the pandemic. However, we strongly urge you to not let your worries about spine surgery safety get in the way of receiving the treatment you need. Plus, with vaccines on the way, we’ll only have to navigate the tricky COVID-19 waters with our patients for a little while longer.

If you have exhausted other non-surgical treatment modalities and are considering surgery, choose New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., which serves patients across Central New Jersey. Dr. LaRocca was named as a New Jersey Top Doctor in 2020 and takes special care to keep his patients safe and healthy, as well as put them on the road to recovery. For more information, contact us to make an appointment today.