KCH Introduces New Concept in Joint Replacement Surgery
6/30/2015
WARSAW, Ind. (July 1, 2015) - KCH is changing the way patients and their families think about and experience joint replacement surgery with the introduction of the KCH Orthopedic Center, a comprehensive program that is based on a national best practice model for hip and knee replacements, and structured around the fundamental principles of wellness.
"This is not your typical hospital program or hospital stay," according to Physician Champion Leamon Williams, MD. Dr. Williams is an orthopedic surgeon who, along with the administrative and clinical team at KCH, developed this innovative program to improve outcomes and provide a superior experience for individuals having hip or knee replacement surgery.
"First and foremost, we do not see our patients as being sick," Dr. Williams explained. "Instead, we see our patients as healthy individuals who are coming to the hospital because they have hip or knee pain, and want to live a better quality of life by having joint replacement surgery."
This fundamental concept of wellness is executed throughout the entire program, which incorporates advanced, analgesic, and rapid-recovery surgical techniques - with an environment that maximizes patient recovery through education, a culture of early mobility, family involvement, and group interaction.
The KCH Orthopedic Center Experience
An important aspect of the program is that individuals having elective surgery are considered students, not patients. Each student chooses a coach-usually a family member or loved one-who is an active participant in their care before, during and after discharge from the hospital. Both student and coach are required to attend a pre-operative class one to two weeks prior to surgery, where they meet their KCH Orthopedic Center team, in addition to learning in detail about the procedure, what to expect in the hospital, and how to care for oneself after discharge.
One person-a Care Coordinator-oversees the student's entire stay, and is their resource before, during and after discharge. All staff at the KCH Orthopedic Center receive special training, and are chosen to work on the unit because of their expertise; positive, upbeat nature; and high motivational skills. Coaches learn the program right along with their loved one, and provide encouragement and support every step of the way.
The fundamental concept of wellness is also demonstrated throughout the individual's stay in the hospital. Students do not wear hospital gowns, but rather are expected to bring comfortable clothes-t-shirts, shorts, etc.-to wear during the day. Students also follow an aggressive daily schedule that begins at 6 a.m. the day after surgery on a unit devoted only to individuals having joint replacement surgery. Students receive a daily newsletter-Knee Keys or Hip Hints, depending on their surgery-with their breakfast, letting them know the agenda for the day, along with tips on how to care for themselves later.
Two group therapy sessions are held daily-one in the morning, and a second in the afternoon. Group therapy is supplemented by individual in-room sessions. Students compete with one another on distance walked each day with progress tracked on a large exercise board posted in a common area. This exercise board provides visual reinforcement of goals. Students find the camaraderie both challenging and rewarding.
Care doesn't end after discharge or graduation. Graduates receive calls from the KCH Orthopedic Center staff within 72 hours of discharge, and again one to two weeks later. Reunions for the KCH Orthopedic Center graduates and their coaches are held quarterly with surgeons and their entire team.
The End Result: Better Outcomes
"We will evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional, and patient satisfaction criteria," explained Kirk Ray, chief executive officer, KCH. These outcomes are then analyzed during monthly performance improvement team meetings, and enable KCH to become an efficient and cohesive team. So, when we say we offer better outcomes, we have the data to prove it."
For more information about the KCH Orthopedic Center, contact Joint Care Coordinator Krista Harding, R.N., at (574) 372-1404.
Kosciusko Community Hospital is directly or indirectly owned by partnerships that proudly include physician owners, including certain members of the hospitals' medical staffs.
Joy Lohse
Director, Marketing & Public Relations
(574) 372-7677/ jlohse@kch.com
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