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J O I N T
R E P L A C E M E N T
W
hat happens when advances in smaller-incision orthopedic surgery and ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia
techniques converge in an ambulatory surgical center?
When the facility's surgeons aren't afraid to ask, "Why not?" the result
is an innovative new program that could be a game-changer in health
care: same-day joint replacement surgery in an ASC.
Putting protocols in place
About a year ago, the 8 surgeon-partners at Advanced Center for
Surgery in Altoona, Pa., began writing highly specific, formal protocols
for every aspect of
joint replacement surgery (knees, hips,
shoulders and ankles).
"This is what the architects of
Obamacare want: high quality,
cost-effective health care."
— Christopher S. McClellan, DO
They knew there was a
group of relatively young, healthy people who wanted new hips or
knees, but didn't necessarily need or want to stay in a hospital. The surgeons hand-picked a team of professionals — nursing staff, anesthesia
provider, home nursing care — to support their program, and by
December 2012, they had scheduled their first case. To date, they've
replaced 15 knees (total and unicompartmental arthroplasties), 2 hips
and 1 shoulder. Patients undergoing surgeries that traditionally require
2, 3 or more days in a hospital are leaving this surgery center, smiling
and pain-free, in less than 4 hours.
M A R C H 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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