in Total Joint Replacement Surgery
Inland Valley Medical Center is changing the way patients and their families think about and experience of total joint replacement surgery with the introduction of The Inland Valley Total Joint 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 Steven Kelley, MD. Dr. Kelley is the center’s medical director and one of five orthopedic surgeons on-staff who, along with the administrative and clinical team at Inland Valley Medical Center, 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. Kelley 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, minimally invasive, 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 Total Joint 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 Total Joint 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 Total Joint 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 morning after surgery on a unit devoted only to individuals having joint replacement surgery. Each day, 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—in our dedicated physical therapy room located on the unit. Group therapy is supplemented by individual in-room sessions. Motivational posters are located throughout the halls, and provide a guide for students to measure their success. 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 The Total Joint Center staff within 72 hours of discharge, and again one to two weeks later. Reunions for The Total Joint Center graduates and their coaches are held bi-annually with surgeons and their entire team.
The End Result: Better Outcomes
“We evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional, and patient satisfaction criteria,” explained Stephanie Hill, Program Coordinator. These outcomes are then analyzed during monthly performance improvement team meetings, and enable us to become an efficient and cohesive team. So, when we say we offer better outcomes, we have the data to prove it.”
Inland Valley Medical Center is located off the 15 freeway at the Clinton Keith Exit in Wildomar. They feature the regions only Level II Trauma Department and Weight-loss Surgery Center of Excellence. Their contact phone number is 951-677-1111 or for a free physician referral, call 1-800-879-1020. www.InlandValleyMedCenter.com