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COVID Raises Questions About

Which Surgeries Are Elective

When mandates were issued postponing elective surger-
ies to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, preserve
personal protective equipment and medical resources,
many crucial surgical procedures were suspended. As an
orthopedic surgeon who operates on patients suffering
from painful hip and knee problems, I understand why
these restrictions were enacted but still felt distressed that
these surgeries were considered “elective.”
Pain combined with loss of mobility can be all-consum-
ing and cause tremendous stress both physically and men-
tally for the person suffering as well as their spouse or sig-
nificant other. While my patients understood and
empathized with the reasons their long-awaited surgeries BY DR. WILLIAM
were canceled as hospitals braced for the COVID-19 LEONE
emergency, many didn’t feel their surgeries were “elec-
tive” because they were suffering as their conditions worsened.
Some patients have shared with me their mixed emotions, wanting to delay their
surgery for the good of our country and for those individuals who are really sick, but
not wanting to suffer and potentially have their result compromised because they
must wait. It’s hard to feel their surgery is “elective” when they are suffering and
knowing surgery can often bring immediate and dramatic relief with improved mobil-
ity. Added to this is their concern that they will be safe from COVID-19 while getting
their surgery.
I think proceeding with their care is appropriate as long as doing so does not pre-
vent or deny anyone with COVID-19 the care they need. When we received the go-
ahead to resume surgeries, I prioritized the most critical patients, but only those who
could go home the day of their surgery. We are once again taking care of everyone,
some of whom have waited many months for care. My patients feel safe and confident
knowing that we’ve put huge emphasis on strict safety protocols. While most go
home the day of their surgery, some are admitted or even go to a rehabilitation center
after discharge. All are tremendously thankful to reclaim their quality of life, which
none of us really considers “elective.”

Dr. William Leone, head of The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care at Holy Cross Health,
can be reached at (954) 954-489-4575.

The Memory Care Residences

at MorseLife Introduce

iN2L Technology

The Memory Care Residences at MorseLife have introduced iN2L, an
easy-to-use engagement technology, as one of the therapies used to
counter isolation experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A technology that caters to each resident’s wide range of abilities and
interests, iN2L requires no computer experience. Residents simply
touch a picture on the screen and begin enjoying fun activities that
encourage conversation, interaction, and learning with each other, their
caregivers, and family members.
For memory care patients, the new engagement technology program
particularly helps to redirect residents who may be feeling anxiety,
depression, or loneliness to a more positive experience. The iN2L
library of activities includes history, travel, movies, classic television,
music, trivia, quizzes, games, puzzles, fitness programs and spiritual
content.
Loved ones can also leave pre-recorded messages to provide comfort
to residents at any moment. Facilitating easier connections between res-
idents and their loved ones, video visits on large screens only require a
few pre-programed basic taps.
Additional benefits include being an aid to assist residents remember
events, people and places from their past lives, which is an important
aspect of memory care.

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