Trisha Lacey

Southern California Orthopedic Institute in alliance with UCLA Health is a renowned multi-specialty orthopedic clinic with seven locations through California. It is a preferred orthopedic practice and home to the leading experts for diagnosing and treating bone, joint, musculoskeletal and spinal disorders in adults and children. As a physician assistant at SCOI, I collaborate with my supervising physician, a preferred hand surgeon in the region, to provide exceptional care to patients with various hand, wrist, and elbow conditions, including fractures, joint injuries, degenerative diseases, congenital and soft tissue injuries. Within our team, I diagnose and treat our patients in a clinic setting four days per week. Our practice's commitment to excellence in orthopedic/hand surgery results in improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Outpatient:

• Physician assistant for busy hand surgeon in outpatient clinic setting performing consultations and evaluations, including obtaining patient histories, performing physical examinations, and interpreting diagnostic tests for hand, wrist, and elbow conditions averaging 50 patients/day.
• Order and interpret radiographs, MRI's, CT scans or other medically necessary diagnostic tests.
• Performed minor in-office procedures with digital or hematoma blocks such as closed reduction and splinting of phalanx, metacarpal, and occasionally wrist fractures, revision amputations for fingertip injuries, superficial abscess drainage of fingers and hands, incision and drainage of postoperative wound infections.
• Advanced skills in performing both ultrasound guided and non-ultrasound guided cortisone injections for a variety of orthopedic diagnoses in the hand clinic.
• Managed preoperative and postoperative care for hand surgery patients, including educations, wound care, splinting and casting, suture removal, pin removal, and monitoring for complications.
• Referral to appropriate specialists for symptoms, injuries, or diagnoses that could not appropriately be treated in our clinic.
• Educate patients on treatment options, surgical procedures, and rehabilitation protocols, ensuring informed decision-making and adherence to treatment plans for optimal post operative results.
• Collaborated with occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for hand surgery patients, optimizing functional outcomes and recovery.
• Maintained accurate and detailed medical records, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating continuity of care for patients.
• Highly proficient in electronic health records, particularly EPIC.
• Utilized advanced knowledge of medical billing and coding practices to accurately document patient encounters, ensuring compliance with billing regulations and maximizing reimbursement.
• Mentored staff on medical billing and coding procedures, promoting efficiency and accuracy in documentation and billing practices.

Surgery:

• Participated in surgical procedures as first assistant, demonstrating proficiency in a wide range of hand surgeries, including carpal tunnel release, tendon repairs, fracture fixations, and microvascular procedures.
• Performed preoperative examinations, provided appropriate education about postoperative recovery, prescribed medications and occupational therapy when appropriate.
• Referred to and consulted with physicians and other healthcare providers on patient care.

RWPC is an orthopedic practice that at my time of employment had four physicians and two physician assistants at a Level II trauma center. It is situated within a 180-bed hospital that serves a rural area greater than 150-mile radius. It is a general orthopedic practice that performs surgery on nearly all orthopedic injuries except spine and complicated pelvic injuries averaging 1,500 cases/year.

Inpatient:

• Complete individual daily rounds on post-operative patients, follow up on medical plans, and order appropriate tests and medications when necessary.
• Individually perform consultations on surgical and non-surgical patients of all complexities.
• Perform pre-operative history and physicals on patients and order appropriate tests to prepare patients for surgery.
• Independently cover and treat orthopedic emergencies in ER, closed reductions, revision of fingertip amputations, admission of patients, and consult supervising physician when appropriate.
• Cover hospital, clinic, and inpatient call one day/week and one weekend/month.

Outpatient:

• Independently obtain medical history, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, labs, and radiographs, prescribe appropriate medications, and order physical therapy for busy outpatient clinic averaging 20-30 patients/day, 2-3 times/week.
• Proficiently manage patients and documentation using electronic medical records.
• Perform small outpatient procedures independently (closed reductions of various fractures, injections, abscess drainage).
• Provide post-operative follow up care
• Educate patients on a variety of orthopedic procedures.

Surgery:

• First assist on variety of orthopedic surgeries from total joint arthroplasties, trauma cases, arthroscopies, and smaller outpatient cases 3-4 days/week.
• Help position, drape, and prepare patient in OR for surgery.
• Prepare grafts (allograft, autograft) intra-operatively for multiple surgeries (ACL, PCL, AC reconstruction).
• Independently, proficient, and meticulous with wound closure upon completion of cases.
• Order medications and tests to appropriately manage post operative patients.