Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1070090
conditions do not require emergency care. Orlin & Cohen established its urgent care practice so patients could return to their daily lives and activities as quickly as possible after an injury. "We've always done our best to get people the services they need on the same day as their appointment, but what occurred to us is that scheduling an appointment still requires a phone call and a conversation," Dr. Levitz says. "A lot of patients, when they get hurt, want to go to the ER or call an ambulance — they don't have time to schedule an appointment. That's why we started our walk-in urgent care services." SPEEDY SURGERY Orlin & Cohen's capability to perform diagnostic tests, imaging, surgery and other treatments at a moment's notice contributed greatly to the creation of its Urgent Care Service and The Hand Center. This capability is bolstered by an ambula- tory surgery center that Orlin & Cohen has access to at any time. "We have an ambulatory surgery center that affords us immediate access to an OR for those who require a procedure before recovery becomes difficult," Dr. Brown says. "We don't have to deal with the red tape found in hospitals, so we can get patients in for surgery quickly without waiting for weeks or months." The quick nature of scheduling surgeries not only allows patients with severe injuries to receive the procedures they need, but also allows patients to better coordinate the timing of a necessary surgery with the realities of their insurance coverage deductible status where relevant. Speed, efficiency and effectiveness permeate every aspect of surgical care at Orlin & Cohen, from scheduling to recovery. Patients can go home the same day after almost every surgery. If necessary, surgical procedures that require longer recovery times can be performed at a local hospital, though these instances are relatively rare. CONSERVATIVE CARE Though the specialists at Orlin & Cohen a re skilled in va rious surgeries, they ta ke a conser vative approach to treat- ment that includes physica l therapy, medication, pa in injections, lifestyle changes and biologics before surgery is decided upon. "Even though I a m a ha nd surgeon, my goa l is to avoid operati ng on a patient i f at a ll possible," Dr. Brown says. "If a conser vative course of t reat ment fa i l s — whet her it 's t he use of bra ces, a nt i- i n f la m m at or ies, cor t i sone i n j e c t i o n s , p l a t e l e t - r i c h plasma [PRP] or stem cells — only then will I consider more invasive options." Drs. Brown and Levitz and the rest of the specia lists at Orlin & Cohen use biologics to either avoid surgery or aid in recovery af ter surger y. These biologics include PRP grafts and PRP and stem cell injec- tions. Though these types of therapies have resulted in widespread but less than universa l positive results in the past, current techniques have been proven safe, and Orlin & Cohen is helping lead the way in determining and improving the efficacy of these treatments. Because Orlin & Cohen ha s such a l a r ge volu me of pat ient s a nd wel l- established ex per tise in or t hopedic sub-specia lization, compa nies of ten turn to the orthopedic group when they require feedback on new techniques and technologies, such as those involving PRP and stem cells. This allows Orlin & Cohen greater access to the latest devel- opments in the world of orthopedic care. SPORTS MEDICINE These developments have helped expand Orlin & Cohen's sports medicine prac- tice, which is spea rheaded by Ja mes Paci, MD, Director of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine for Suffolk County at the Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group. Dr. Paci joined Orlin & Cohen in 2018. "I was brought on specifica lly to lead the expansion into Suffolk County and strategica lly build our presence there," Dr. Paci says. "Part of that role is building out our sports medicine program." Certified hand therapist Elizabeth McCarthy tests a patient's range of motion and strength. Dr. Brown fits a custom volar wrist splint to a patient. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S L O N G I S L A N D ■ 2 019 0 9