What Sets Our Program Apart
Pain Management
Due to our comprehensive pain management, patients of the VVMC Joint Replacement Program have minimal pain.
- Before surgery: Anti-inflammatory pain medication is given prior to surgery, so that its effectiveness peaks during the time of surgery.
- During surgery: A peri-articular cocktail injection is given. This locally administered injection to the tissues surrounding the joint is proven to facilitate rehabilitation, improve patient satisfaction, avoid systemic drug-related side effects, and reduce patient stay. Patients receiving the injection have less pain and therefore use significantly less PCA (patient controlled anesthesia) in the 24 hours following surgery.
- After surgery: PCA pump and oral analgesics are provided to all joint replacement patients
Infection Control
VVMC has one of the lowest surgical infection rates in the state.
All joint replacements are performed in an operating room that utilizes a laminar flow ventilation system. This system uses an ultra-pure horizontal air flow that does not circulate, but comes into the room at one end and exits at the other. This minimizes the presence of bacteria-carrying particles.
Surgeons wear full body suits and face masks that look similar to space suits, and wear two pair of surgical gloves.
Discharge
Patients in VVMC’s Joint Replacement Program typically are discharged from the hospital two-three days earlier than patients in other joint replacement programs throughout the United States. VVMC patients are able to walk the same day as surgery because of a lack of discomfort due to the pain management system in place.
Comprehensive individual and group physical therapy services are provided on the unit, and all participants have the opportunity to continue to use the facility to continue with their exercise program at no cost.
In 2007 The Cleveland Clinic, the second largest medical group practice in the world, changed their joint replacement program to reflect the following:
Day of surgery: Patient stands and walks.
Day one after surgery: Patient walks and is introduced to physical therapy.
Day three after surgery: Patient is discharged to home.
Verde Valley Medical Center’s Joint Replacement Program has been doing this since 2001!
|