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BHS Greatly Enhances Joint Replacement Program
August 24, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BHS LAUNCHES NEW APPROACH TO JOINT REPLACEMENT CARE PITTSFIELD, MA – Berkshire Medical Center, in collaboration with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, has greatly enhanced its Orthopaedic Surgery program with a comprehensive Joint Replacement Program, a new approach to joint surgery. The Joint Replacement Program at BMC is designed to provide the patient with the highest quality experience possible, with pre-operative education, state-of-the-art surgical procedures performed by highly skilled Orthopaedic surgeons, advanced anesthesia care and pain management, newly renovated rooms for optimum comfort and recovery, and post-surgical care, including rehabilitation. The procedures covered under the Joint Replacement Program at BMC include: Total knee replacement; partial knee replacement; total hip replacement; hip and knee revision; and shoulder replacement. The Joint Replacement team features the physicians of Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, specially trained physician assistants, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and a dedicated program coordinator. A key part of the new patient experience is the newly designed patient room. Eight renovated private suites have been constructed for Joint Replacement Program patients, providing comfort and the space necessary to accommodate the specialized needs of the patient. The rooms are large and include private bathrooms and comfortable furnishings to help patients get the rest they need while also having the ability to undergo their initial rehabilitation therapies. Each room also has a combination sofa/bed, allowing a “joint coach,” such as a family member or friend to remain with the patient as needed, to further enhance healing and rehabilitation. BMC will provide joint replacement patients with a pre-operative patient education class, presented by members of the Orthopaedic Care Team – an orthopaedic nurse, physical and occupational therapist and an orthopaedic case manager – discussing what the patient can expect during their hospital stay and recovery. The patient will learn about their therapy, how to set up their home with safety in mind, their expected length of stay in the hospital and planning for discharge and after-care. In addition, patients will have the opportunity to meet other members of the care team, talk with other patients who are also preparing for joint replacement surgery, view demonstrations of therapy equipment and will be able to ask questions of their caregivers prior to surgery. A new component of care is also provided, called Prehab, or pre-hospital Joint Replacement Rehabilitation. The goal of Prehab is to help the patient be as well-conditioned as possible prior to surgery, in order to enhance their post-operative recovery, and to better understand their therapy routine after surgery. Prehab is conducted in the weeks before surgery. This comprehensive new approach to joint replacement surgery and recovery will provide patients at BMC with a patient-oriented experience and faster recovery. For more information on the Joint Replacement Program at BMC, call 413-395-7680 or go online to www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/joint.