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St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs will soon be a
offering specialized, team approach to patient care for people having
joints replaced. The team not only consists of doctors, nurses and
therapists, other patients and family members are team players as
well.
This is the expansion of a program that has been very
successful at Saint Joseph Health Center. You could almost think
of it as Joint Replacement Camp. Participants usually have surgery
on the same day, and then they recover together. They eat together,
participate in therapy together and learn together.
"The group setting is like a built in support group,"
says Rachel Mack, PT, program coordinator. "The patients don't
have to go it alone, there are others going through it with them.
They share not only the struggles toward recovery, but also learn
the benefits of relaxation and pain management."
The philosophy of the Knee and Hip Center is simple.
Participants are not sick; they're having a joint replaced. They
stay on a dedicated unit, with a dedicated staff. They don't wear
hospital gowns, they wear their own clothes. "The staff is
very knowledgeable," says Mack. "Patients have the opportunity
to recover quickly and return home sooner. Most people don't like
being in a hospital. If they have surgery Monday or Tuesday, our
goal is to have them ready to return home by Friday."
Another important component of the program is a coach
for each participant. "We really stress the coaching component
of the program. Participants have a coach, a family member or friend
who's with them every step of the way from pre-admitting through
recovery. They help inspire and support patients in the tough times
and are there to share triumphs. We think coaches are very important
in the recovery process."
Mack says the standardized process means everyone wins.
"Everyone is happier. The satisfaction of patients, physicians
and staff all goes up and that's what we're after."
The Knee and Hip Center offers seminars twice a month.
For more information, contact the center at 816-655-5462.
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