Halifax Regional Program Has Joint-Replacement Patients Recovering More Quickly
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It may seem a bit much to expect a surgery patient to walk a half mile just three days after undergoing a knee or hip replacement.
But that’s fairly routine at Halifax Regional Medical Center’s Joint Care Center of Excellence.
Dr. Rich Holm‚ an orthopedist at the center‚ was instrumental in implementing a new joint-replacement program in which patients make rapid recoveries following surgery. The program began in February 2005‚ and Holm performed 200 replacements over the course of the rest of the year.
By comparison‚ there were only 12 joint replacements at Halifax Regional during all of 2004.
“The Center for Excellence is located on the third floor in the south wing of Halifax Regional‚ with the entire focus of that floor devoted to knee‚ hip and shoulder replacements‚” Holm says. “Nobody is on the third floor except for the joint team and the patients who are undergoing these procedures.”
So why do Holm’s patients heal so quickly? It’s because he performs four to eight surgeries each week‚ and all patients are in an environment where they encourage and push each other to make post-surgery progress.
“It’s kind of like being at camp‚” Holm says. “If all the kids can climb up a rock‚ then you also become determined to do so. Being in a group setting makes it easier for you to be a little braver and push yourself to try things.”
Holm is the only surgeon doing joint replacements at Halifax Regional‚ and he schedules all his surgeries on Mondays. By Thursday‚ knee and hip patients are able to walk at least a half mile up and down the hospital’s corridors‚ while shoulder patients are able to regain most range of motion.
“The patients all meet each other before they have their surgery‚ meet the entire staff‚ get lots of literature and know what to expect over the next few days‚” Holm says. “I walked into my recovery area the other day and there were three patients who had just had knee replacements. They were laughing and talking with each other from their beds‚ planning on how far they were going to walk the next day.”
Darlene Williams‚ administrative director for acute care at Halifax Regional‚ says patients also choose a family member or friend who will act as a coach during the rehabilitation process. The coach helps to keep the patient motivated for physical therapy sessions at home.
“Some of Dr. Holm’s patients haven’t walked a half mile in years or were totally unable to walk prior to surgery‚ and now they’re living normal lives‚” Williams says. “Motivation and a positive attitude are great techniques for healing. This program really works.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Brian McCord
