New Program Gives Orthopedic Patients A Leg Up on Recovery
Every patient scheduled for a hip or knee replacement at St. Luke’s is eligible to enroll in the Ortho PreOp Program. Designed with help from orthopedic surgeons, the program ensures patients know what to expect from their surgery and during recovery. Wellinformed patients make a smoother transition from hospital to home and often heal faster, program organizers said.
Patients are referred to the program by their surgeon. They attend a one-hour class led by a multidisciplinary team that includes a physical therapist, a case manager and a staff nurse certified in orthopedic care. Program topics cover new rules for postoperative mobility, new physical therapy techniques and more. Classes are held twice each month.
“Patients like meeting their nurses and other caregivers beforehand. And the class helps them prepare for returning home after surgery,” said Beth Rocha, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager at St. Luke’s. “They know what they need to think about in terms of pain management, post-op therapy and any temporary changes in lifestyle that will facilitate their recovery.”
Classes are held on the Wilks unit at St. Luke’s. The hospital’s recent $33 million renovation and expansion project created an environment geared specifically for patients recovering from orthopedic surgery. Patients tour the fully equipped gym and get an up-close look at equipment that helps kneereplacement patients regain range of motion. They also meet the Wilks nursing staff and discuss post-op care with a member of the case management team who helps patients transition from hospital to home.
“We work closely with our surgeons to provide physical therapy services right on the unit, in order to increase mobility and decrease pain,” said Joecyl O’Neill, RN, Director of Patient Services for the Bourne and Wilks units. “Doing so creates an optimal care experience for each patient and ultimately reduces length of stay.”
