Orthopedics/Telerad
We see a large amount of orthopedic injuries. An x-ray concerning for fracture should be sent via Telerad to the orthopedic surgeon at the ANMC. You should get a response within 1-2 hours.
There are Telerad referral papers in the outpatient clinic and each SRC. Send forms to radiology (usually by your nurse) and they will fax form to ANMC along with films. You should get a response via Tiger Connect from the orthopedic surgeon.
If you need an answer from the orthopedist quickly, you can call ANMC and speak to the orthopedist on call about 30-45 minutes after you sent the Telerad (907-729-1791, fax 907-729- 1789). Alternatively, you can Tiger Connect the orthopod on call.
Provides in the outpatient clinic do casting and splinting. Most reductions are sent to the ER for sedation. We do uncomplicated casting and splinting in the SRCs and some reductions using conscious sedation if able. Otherwise, the patient will have to be sent in to Bethel for reduction.
You may send a patient to Bethel for walk-in Physical Therapy, if you think they would benefit from a short PT appt. Call PT before sending patient to see about availability. If it is a chronic pain patient, or a patient from a village, you should encourage them to make a 40 minute appointment with the physical therapist. Most PT is done by appointment so the therapist has the full 40 minute to evaluate the patient.
Orthopedists and a hand surgeons from ANMC will come to Bethel Specialty Orthopedic Clinic several times each year. Depending on the urgency of the problem, you can refer your patients to our Specialty Clinic or to ANMC.
All internal (i.e., Bethel) orthopedic referrals should go through PT first. PT will evaluate the urgency of the referral and make sure the specialist will have the needed diagnostics prior to seeing the patient (e.g., orthopedists like to have x-rays within 3 months). To refer to the Specialty Orthopedic Clinic in Bethel, place order for Refer to Physical Therapy Internal. Please check first to be sure that a referral has not already been made for the patient. If you have any questions, call PT and discuss the patient with them.
