Telemedicine & Out-of-State Patients | Dr. Zeeshan Sardar

Telemedicine & Out-of-State Patients

Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C
Director, Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) – Och Spine Hospital
Medical Director, Spine Unit – Och Spine Hospital
Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University
Och Spine Hospital • New York, NY

Many of Dr. Sardar’s patients travel to New York for surgery — from across the United States and internationally — after being unable to find a surgeon in their home area with the experience to address their condition. Patients with complex spinal deformity, Harrington rod complications, flatback deformity, failed prior spine surgery, cervical myelopathy, and adolescent scoliosis requiring surgery frequently seek specialty expertise that is concentrated in a small number of high-volume academic centers. To make this process as accessible as possible, Dr. Sardar offers telemedicine consultations for new patients and second-opinion evaluations before any travel to New York is required.

WHO BENEFITS FROM A TELEMEDICINE CONSULTATION

  • Patients with complex spinal deformity, flatback deformity, or Harrington rod complications who want an expert opinion before deciding whether surgery is appropriate
  • Patients who have been told they are not a surgical candidate and want a second opinion from a high-volume deformity center
  • Patients with cervical myelopathy, adult or adolescent scoliosis, or revision spine surgery needs who are researching their options
  • Patients who have already decided to pursue surgery and want to establish care with Dr. Sardar remotely before traveling to New York
  • Family members helping a loved one navigate a complex spine diagnosis

HOW IT WORKS

Telemedicine consultations with Dr. Sardar are conducted via secure video platform. To make the most of the consultation, patients are asked to: complete the new patient intake forms prior to the visit; upload or send relevant imaging — MRI, CT, and standing X-rays — in advance so Dr. Sardar can review them before the appointment; prepare a brief summary of prior spine surgeries (operative reports are helpful if available); and list current symptoms, functional limitations, and questions. During the consultation, Dr. Sardar reviews the imaging, discusses findings and diagnosis, explains the range of treatment options, and gives his honest recommendation — including when surgery is not the right answer, or when the appropriate next step is further imaging or non-surgical treatment.

TELEMEDICINE AVAILABILITY

Dr. Sardar is currently licensed to conduct telemedicine consultations with patients in the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, Missouri, California, and Texas. Patients in other states may contact the office to discuss options — requirements vary by state and are updated periodically.

INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS

International patients seeking care at Och Spine Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian can access services through NewYork-Presbyterian Global Services, which provides coordination of international patient care including travel assistance, accommodation guidance, and interpreter services.
Contact NYP Global Services: +1-212-746-9100

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TELEMEDICINE VISIT

If Dr. Sardar recommends surgery after the telemedicine consultation, his team works to consolidate all necessary pre-operative evaluations and appointments into as few trips to New York as possible. For many patients, one trip for pre-operative evaluation and surgical clearance is followed by one trip for the surgery and immediate post-operative recovery. Follow-up can frequently be conducted via telemedicine for patients who cannot return to New York frequently.

PREPARING YOUR IMAGING

Accepted imaging formats: CDs or digital files from your imaging center (DICOM format); CD mailed to the office in advance; online image sharing from imaging centers that offer this service. Standing full-length scoliosis X-rays (36-inch films) are essential for any patient with spinal deformity and should be obtained before or shortly after the consultation is scheduled.

SCHEDULE A TELEMEDICINE CONSULTATION

Call 212-932-5187 or visit the contact page to schedule your telemedicine consultation or speak with a member of Dr. Sardar’s team.

This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized medical advice.