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July 12, 2010 More surgical patients are leaving the hospital sooner, healing more quickly and returning to their daily activities faster than ever before thanks to a team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists and technicians committed to using a solid patient-focused methodology at Kennewick General Hospital. Through the hospital’s dedicated Joint Replacement Center, inpatients ultimately have a positive experience in a “well” patient environment with a focus on early mobility, patient/family education and concentrated patient centric care. “It all starts with pre-operative education where patients learn what to expect and how to prepare for their surgery and recovery,” says Dr. Thomas Burgdorff, a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the center’s medical director. “With an efficient use of the hospital’s operating rooms and every caregiver aware of the patient’s pre-, intra- and post-operative plan, patients can return to their favorite daily activities as soon as possible – that’s the real key beyond the technology already in place,” he adds. That’s the case for 70-year old Tri-Cities resident, Jack Snyder, who is an avid bicyclist and motorcyclist, and knee replacement patient at KGH back in February of this year. “I feel like a whole new person,” says the spunky Snyder. “My recovery was really fast and it was actually an enjoyable experience. I even hated to leave the hospital because everybody was so nice.” Biking more than 50 miles each week, Snyder recently returned from Orlando for his grandson’s high school graduation where he ventured around SeaWorld and other sites for up to 8 hours a day with no pain. “It was a good test,” says Snyder. After coming home, he was up on the roof of his house just last week trimming a tree with a chain saw. “I’m so well healed, I feel like I can do almost anything,” he adds. In fact, his story is the norm for outcomes from this innovative program at KGH. With nurse to patient ratios of 1:4, patients receive a lot of attention and care while in their private and well-equipped hospital rooms. Pain levels are well controlled for ease in mobility. Typically, patients are out of bed walking around the day after surgery and partaking in all group physical therapy exercises. Group activities are emphasized as part of the program, both as a means of camaraderie and to engage their competiveness ‘juices’ against fellow patients in activities. Nikki Schrom, KGH’s Joint Care Coordinator, notes that often times patients worry about the outcome before their surgery. “We talk with the patients beforehand to educate them about what to expect with their new total joint replacement. And it’s very beneficial (and very unusual these days) for them to see the same group of caregivers before, during and after their surgery. It builds a real sense of continuity of care, and allows patients to self-assess where they are in the healing process and where they should be,” says Schrom. Joint replacement is often a solution for patients suffering from arthritis, unhealed injuries, previous failed surgeries or just bad genetics. It can result in relief of pain, allowing patients to return to a functional and active lifestyle, no longer requiring a cane or walker for mobility. It is common to no longer need anti-inflammatory or pain medication after the recovery period. Patients can walk, hike, climb stairs, use a bicycle (like Jack Snyder) and swim after joint replacement surgery. |
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| 900 S. Auburn Street, Kennewick, Washington 99336 (509) 586-6111 http://www.kennewickgeneral.com | |||||||||