D. Alex Stroh, M.D., Orthopedic Trauma Specialist, Saint Francis Hospital
Tires screech and horns blare. Glass shatters and car parts fold like foil. When the dust settles, you hear ambulance sirens and see flashing lights. Accidents happen – we’ve all been there or know somebody who has. When you’re injured it’s a flurry of emotions. What do I do? Where do I go for help? How do I know I’ll be okay? Things happen fast, and all of a sudden, you’re in the back of an ambulance getting whisked off to…well you’re not sure which hospital.
Not long ago, your choices in care were limited. You had to see whichever doctor was available, with little say in who treated you or when. It often felt like the process was out of your control.
But things have changed. Today, you have the power to choose. If you’re injured, it’s important to know:
You can request that the ambulance driver take you to a specific hospital, and they are obligated to honor your wishes unless your injuries are life-threatening.
You can request care from specific doctors – if you’ve broken a bone, ask if your doctor is an Orthopedic Trauma specialist. Some fractures are easily handled by a general surgeon, but many can benefit from the care of a fellowship trained Orthopedic Trauma specialist.
You can request to be transferred to another hospital at any time for your care.
Many times, you can go home with a broken bone after an emergency room visit, but you may be left having to schedule future visits with other doctors after leaving – that means navigating complicated issues like insurance coverage.
Many broken bones heal on their own, but today minimally invasive surgeries have improved and are better at getting you back on your feet quickly.
The broken bone healing process does ramp up around three weeks. – If surgery is required, you will need to see a specialist within a week of your injury to start planning.
Everyone deserves access to the same quality care, regardless of where you’re from, what you do, or who you are. I’ve fixed careless teenagers who’ve crashed their dirt bikes, and quiet nuns who have fallen at home, and my policy is that all patients be treated like I would treat a family member. Patient care is not a chore, not a job where someone checks the boxes.
Although we may do thousands of surgeries; I understand that each individual patient has to live with the outcome for the rest of their life. Treating someone like family means I stay accountable as a surgeon, stay aware of what’s important to you and take time to explain what’s going to be important in the future. That’s a promise all our Trauma Specialists take to heart. These injuries can be life-changing, so it’s important to know that your doctor is invested in your recovery and wellbeing.
We put our principles into action – here is how we approach things differently. At Saint Francis Hospital, every day of the week, a Trauma Specialist is ON-CALL and IN THE HOSPITAL to fix broken bones. So, you don’t have to wonder if the doctor you’re getting is fellowship trained. There’s no delaying care — if you need surgery, you get it the same day or the next day in almost every case. I wouldn’t want my family members suffering from a broken bone because it wasn’t convenient timing for the doctor. We accept transfers 24/7, no questions asked. No referral is needed to see our specialists, so if you call the office, you can usually come in the same day. As a member of Trinity Health Of New England, Saint Francis Hospital’s Mission is to serve all equally – individuals with insurance, or those who are under- or uninsured receive the same excellent care. We affiliate and work closely as a team with other local hospitals and physicians, so nothing comes between what you need and what you get.
If you’ve broken a bone, don’t risk it. It doesn’t cost a penny more. Saint Francis Orthopedic Trauma makes it easy to get in, get seen by a doctor, and get the best care possible. Call 860-714-4085 and ask for an Orthopedic Trauma specialist – don’t put your health in just anyone’s hands.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-pushing-a-stretcher-6754163/
