Hospital team

Neurosurgical treatment often can’t wait. If you delay recommended care, your condition could worsen and cause dangerous complications. When it comes to care for brain and spinal conditions, your doctor can guide you on the best timing for your treatment.

When you need essential care at UPMC, our neurosurgeons ensure your safety.

Never Miss a Beat!

Get Healthy Tips Sent to Your Phone!

Message and data rates may apply. Text the word STOP to opt out and HELP for help. Click here to view the privacy and terms.

Safety Precautions for Neurosurgery

You don’t need to delay brain or spinal treatments because of the coronavirus. Here are just some of the ways UPMC medical providers and staff are following the latest safety precautions to protect neurosurgery patients who come to our hospitals.

Screening

Everyone who comes to our hospitals goes through a screening process for COVID-19. You will have your temperature checked. You’ll also need to answer screening questions about whether you’ve been in contact with someone who has had the virus.

Testing

You’ll also be tested for COVID-19 before you receive treatment, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Face masks

Everyone entering our hospitals must wear a face mask. If you don’t have one, we will give you one when you arrive. All staff and medical providers wear masks as well. Wearing masks helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, even from people without symptoms.

Disinfecting

Waiting rooms, treatment rooms, bathrooms, and check-in areas undergo regular cleaning. Our staff consistently uses hospital-grade cleaners to clean and disinfect patient and high traffic areas.

Visitor restrictions

UPMC restricts visitors to only those who are essential for your care. If you need someone with you during your procedure or visit, that person will undergo the same screening you do. This helps reduce the number of people in waiting rooms and hallways to maintain distance.

To maintain social distancing and safety, anyone not essential to your visit will need to wait in the parking lot. The same is true for anyone who comes to drive you home after surgery.

Virtual follow-up

UPMC offers video visits for some follow-up care. With video visits, you can meet with your doctor without leaving home. This limits time spent in the hospital. Talk to your doctor to find out if doing follow-up visits by video chat is an option for you.

What to Know About Neurosurgery Care

Your care team is committed to providing you with timely, essential care. But that care may look a little different these days. A nurse will call you before your procedure to discuss what to expect. You can ask any questions you have about parking and finding your way to your appointment location once you’ve arrived.

Make plans in advance for help after surgery and follow-up care. After surgery, you must have someone available to drive you home. Let this person know the details of your surgery so they can plan to wait elsewhere.

Also, be sure you have the right technology and internet connections at home to do a video chat. That way you can schedule a virtual follow-up appointment with your doctor if that is an option.

During COVID-19, the risk of delaying your care can be higher than the risk of exposure. It’s always best to talk to your doctor about any concerns. Your UPMC care team is here to ensure you can safely receive the care you need when you need it.

Schedule an appointment with The UPMC Department of Neurosurgery.

About Neurosurgery

The UPMC Department of Neurosurgery is the largest academic neurosurgical provider in the United States. We treat conditions of the brain, skull base, spine, and nerves, including the most complex disorders. We perform more than 11,000 procedures each year, making our team one of the most experienced in the world. Whether your condition requires surgery or not, we strive to provide the most advanced, complete care possible. Our surgeons are developing new techniques and tools, including minimally invasive treatments. Find an expert near you.