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J O I N T
R E P L A C E M E N T
the building after a total joint replacement pain-free and without IV
narcotics is really remarkable," says Mr. Berkheimer. "It's something I
honestly didn't believe myself until I'd seen it. We actually had a
patient who'd just had a total hip replacement walk out of the center
with the aid of a walker. When the result is that amazing, you don't
mind putting in 3 blocks."
The comfort of home
Once patients arrive at home, nursing and physical therapy professionals step in to ensure continuity of care and progress toward full
mobility. "Our No. 1 priority at home is safety," says Dr. McClellan.
"Nurses visit each patient at home a week or two before surgery to do
a safety check. A nurse meets the patient at home after surgery and
checks vital signs, administers any ordered IV medications and makes
sure pain is adequately controlled."
A physical therapist also visits on Day 0. "In order to be safe, we
have patients wear a brace when they go home," says Dr. McClellan.
"The therapist comes by the house to make sure the brace is fitting
properly and to review the safety precautions."
Mr. Berkheimer says physical therapists have reported that patients
from the surgery center are experiencing significantly less post-operative pain than patients who had their surgeries in a hospital. As a result,
the therapists are better able to manipulate the extremities and do
strengthening and range-of-motion exercises, which can shorten recov5 2
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 | M A R C H 2013
