Crozer-Chester Medical Center recently opened the Human Motion Institute Joint/Spine Unit to meet the special needs of patients who have undergone joint replacement or spine surgery.  

Helping knee replacement, hip replacement and spine surgery patients return to maximum function as quickly and safely as possible is the goal of the 12-bed unit, which is located on the 1 East wing of the medical center.

“For joint replacement and spine surgery patients, the surgical procedure is just the beginning of their treatment. In this new unit, we bring together the personnel, services and facilities to carry out a customized plan of care that will help each patient return to their daily activities,” says Frank Giammattei, M.D., chief of the Division of Orthopedic Surgery at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

The comprehensive Joint/Spine Unit care team includes surgeons, primary care physicians, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, specially trained nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, case managers, social workers and dietitians. Representatives from each of these areas provided input in the planning of the Joint/Spine Unit, and they will have a regular presence on the unit. Donna Walz, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., who is also nurse manager for the 2 East Rehabilitation Unit, serves as nurse manager of the new unit.

“Our aim is to create continuity of care,” says Jane Dorval, M.D., chief of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Crozer. “Patients benefit by having the same bed and the same nurses, therapists, physicians and others throughout their stay.”

On the unit, nurses assist patients with relearning bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. Physical therapists help patients learn exercises to improve strength, range of motion and mobility. Occupational therapists evaluate patients’ ability to perform self-care activities and other activities of daily living. If needed, therapists also instruct patients in the use of adaptive equipment to help them become more independent in these activities.

Patients also receive visits from their surgeon, who monitors their progress and answers questions they may have. Physiatrists — physicians specializing in rehabilitation — work with patients to ensure efficient and effective use of their time in the hospital resulting in maximum functional independence by discharge.

“When patients are undergoing a major procedure like joint replacement or spine surgery, they have a great deal of apprehension. This new unit, which features a team dedicated to providing specialized care to these patients, will take away some of that uncertainty,” says Leonard Hirsh, M.D., chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at Crozer.

Patients recover in an atmosphere where they are encouraged to care for themselves as much as possible. Patients may also benefit by being on the same unit as others who are going through the exact same experiences.

“Since all patients in the unit are recovering from similar types of surgery and have similar care needs, they are able to support each other as they recover and regain their independence,” says Nancy Bucher, chief nursing officer of Crozer-Keystone Health System and vice president of Patient Services at Crozer.

The unit is conveniently located next to Crozer’s rehabilitation gym to facilitate the patients’ use of those facilities. Physical features of the unit include specialized furniture and equipment designed to meet the needs of joint replacement and spine surgery patients. For example, hip replacement patients have access to a special chair that makes sure that they are sitting in the best possible position to facilitate their recovery.

The length of time that a patient stays in the unit depends on many factors, including the extent of the program prior to surgery and the patient’s age, overall health status, home environment and insurance coverage. After discharge from the Joint/Spine Unit, patients may go to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, a sub-acute/skilled rehabilitation facility or directly home with home care services.

The unit is another product of the Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute, an initiative that encompasses the health system’s joint care, orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, hand and spine care services.

“The Joint/Spine Unit is just another way Crozer-Chester Medical Center, and the Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute, is meeting the health care needs of our community,” says Joseph Saunders, chief operating officer of Crozer-Chester Medical Center and CKHS vice president.

Crozer’s Human Motion Institute team also started a joint replacement education class for patients last year. The monthly class provides patients who are scheduled to have knee or hip replacement surgery with valuable information about their experience. Patients — or those who are considering joint replacement surgery — can register for the class by calling (610) 876-0347.

For more information about the Human Motion Institute Joint/Spine Unit at Crozer, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258).