Brief Description
Touro Infirmary in New Orleans welcomes its new Gulf South Joint Replacement Center, opened in March. The joint replacement center is an innovative and state-of-the-art facility that addresses the needs of patients refusing to let age and wear and tear on bones keep them from being active.
At the center, groups of eight to 15 patients come in weekly for joint replacement surgery on one of two dedicated surgery days and go through the in-hospital recovery period together as a group. The center focuses primarily on hip and knee replacement, but also performs shoulder replacement surgery.
Facts about the Center
- Specialized Surgeons:
- Dr. Lance Estrada is one of only a few doctors in the country certified to perform an innovative shoulder surgery used for severe rotator cuff injuries and arthritis.
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Dr. Richard L. Meyer, Jr. is fellowship trained in hip and knee reconstructive surgery and was the first Louisiana physician to use the CI computer navigation system. He specializes in computer assisted total knee replacement surgery and hip reconstruction.
- Hip to Knee Ratios
Unique approach
- Atmosphere:
- Private, hotel-style recovery rooms and amenities
- Patients encouraged to wear own clothes rather than hospital gowns
- Family “coach” for additional physical and emotional support through recovery
- Emphasis on Education:
- Patients are well-informed during each step of the replacement process
- Multimedia educational tools
- Community outreach seminars
- Pre-op classes for patients and family members
- Patient guidebooks
- Daily newsletters/agendas during hospital stay
- Educational wall displays answering the most frequently asked questions
- HomeWork recovery kit
- Group Therapy:
- Group exercise allows patients to benefit from the support and encouragement of fellow patients
- Patients and families take part in group meals and activities together
- Encouraged social interaction
- Upon the end of each week’s session, patients become “Graduates” and receive a group photo
- In and Out:
- Because it is important to begin moving after surgery to get the blood flowing, patients are encouraged to walk, with assistance, the day after surgery
- Recovery process typically takes 3 to 4 days
- Family Member Coach:
- Patients encouraged to select a family member or “coach” to attend informational sessions and aid in the recovery both in the hospital and at home
- Each private room has a roll-out bed where patient’s coach can sleep
- Staff
- Consistent center staff, including dedicated nurses, occupational and physical therapist
- Compassionate bedside manner
- Positive attitudes
- Outstanding motivational skills
- Strong desire to provide exceptional service
- Specially trained to provide comprehensive clinical care
- Personal attention from the same nurse throughout the recovery period
Knee and Hip Replacement Facts
- Replacement surgery replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years, causing severe pain
- Joint replacement surgery is on the rise due to an aging yet active Baby Boomer generation
- Knee Surgery
- Each year more than 450,000 Americans undergo knee replacement surgery
- Two-thirds of the hip replacement surgeries in 2003 were performed on women
- The rate of knee replacement increased eightfold between 1979 and 2002
- Experts expect a 673% increase in the number of knee replacements during the next 23 years, and 3.5 million artificial knees implanted annually by the year 2030
- A 63% increase in knee replacements is projected by 2010
- Hip Surgery
- Hip replacement surgery helps more than 250,000 Americans each year
- Between 1991 and 2000, the incidence of primary total hip replacement increased by 18%
- Projections estimate that primary total hip replacement could rise by up to 22% by the year 2010
Current Trends in Medicine
- “Today, healthcare facilities and design professionals are beginning to reconsider the total healthcare environment to improve the overall experience for patients, healthcare providers, and guests.” –Buildings.com
- Hospitals are placing a bigger emphasis on bedside manner because patients generally feel as though they have received better service if it is from a friendly doctor. Some healthcare facilities are offering classes to doctors who want or need to improve their bedside manner – Phoenix Business Journal
- Group physical therapy is becoming popular in efforts to be both cost effective for the hospital and encouraging for the patients – Journal of Physical Therapy Education