Some patients are confused by the name, but our practice has not moved. The new center is the next step in our commitment to better care. The Orthopaedic Center of the Virginias (OCV) doctors are physician champions and medical directors of the Orthopedic Center at Princeton Hospital. The names are similar. The care is seamless between our practice and the hospital. Everyone involved in your care is working in lock step. Your doctors are in the lead, but every member of the team is just as important.
The Orthopedic Center at Princeton Community Hospital is about fast recovery. That means managing pain and nausea so patients can get up and walking, most times within hours after surgery.
Our program is a wellness model:
On the other hand, wellness patients come to the hospital because they choose to reach a goal. They dress in comfortable workout wear, and choose their meal from a menu of appetizing choices. Days will start with an early breakfast to be ready to go to the gym. Everyone knows what to expect, so the routine is reassuring.
Patients cheer each other on, but things sometimes get a little competitive. Progress is tracked on the ambulation board, where each patient has a personal hiker icon. As you make more steps, your hiker climbs higher. The young muscular guys better watch out, as many times the quiet little grey haired lady is the one setting the pace.
Sounds great! What’s different about the center?
Less pain and nausea: Major surgery involves pain, and medications can lead to nausea. We want you to be comfortable and alert enough to stand and walk the same day of surgery.. Our team of pharmacists, doctors, nurses and therapists start working on pain and nausea management before surgery and continue until you are comfortable and walking. You will learn that you and your family are a critical part of managing your pain. Our approach is designed to help you walk sooner, use less pain medication and experience less side effects.
More informed, less apprehensive: You and your family will know exactly what is going to happen every step of the way. In writing: Your handbook has step by step instructions for preparation for surgery, what to expect in the hospital and when you return home. You will receive a daily newsletter with your schedule and activites for each day. In Person: You and your family can participate in a seminar to prepare for surgery. You will meet other patients and some of the great people that will help you while you are in the hospital. While you are in the hospital, therapists will work on you one on one, as well as in group exercise class. Online: You will also have an online program reminding you of important milestones. You and your family can also record and track your individual progress.
Medically Prepared: Medical preparation for surgery is an important part of making your surgery as safe as possible. Diabetes, heart problems, blood pressure, obesity, immune problems and other medical conditions may increase the chance of complications. Our medical team will work with you and your medical doctor to get you into the best possible shape for surgery. For some patients, that may mean tests for cardiac problems, optimizing control of diabetes and blood pressure, or evaluation for sleep apnea.
More training and expertise: While you are in the hospital, the staff that works with you knows what to do to help you. Many of them participated in the research and design of the program. Helena Griffith RN, BSN, ONC is the program director. We’ve studied and implemented methods to decrease infection, Blood clots and blood transfusion. Your surgery is performed with a dedicated, trained team. Your private room is located on a unit dedicated to caring for healthy patients. You will not be in rooms with other patients being treated for infection or other medical problems. Every aspect of your room and your stay is designed for your safety and comfort.
More Personal: Technology doesn’t overshadow the importance of personal interaction.. Our staff is genuinely interested in you as a person. They take pride in your success. From the person that cleans your room, right up to the hospital administrator, we will do everything we can to make your experience the best it can be. Community is not only in our name, it is the way we do things here.
More Dedicated: Dedicated resources and dedicated people. Resources like a dedicated nursing unit, dedicated operating room staff, dedicated therapy staff and dedicated program director. The Board at Princeton Community Hospital makes it clear that quality means everything here. Due to the extensive nature of the project, much of the planning for the center was done after hours on personal time. That is dedication from the heart. We hope you will be able to experience the difference dedication makes.
Personal note from Dr. Branson about the Center:
Sometimes our patients say it best:
This is my second joint replacement. This time, I was so much better prepared, I knew exactly what to expect, and the staff at Princeton Hospital was fantastic. The best treatment I’ve ever had.
If I need anything else, ever, this is where I will come.
My sister is in Florida. She needs a hip replacement. I told her this is where she needs to come.
The Orthopedic Center at Princeton Community Hospital is the culmination of 5 years of planning. The Center is the result of a formal commitment of hospital, doctors and staff to technology, quality and service. That commitment extends from the Board of Directors at Princeton Community Hospital to the operating room staff, and even to the volunteer that helps you to your car.
What you can see:
What you can click:
Your care at the Center is connected.
When you schedule surgery, you will be enrolled in the online Joint Coach program. Track and record your personal progress, get reminders, instruction and tips on recovery on your computer, tablet or phone.
Who you can call:
Helena Griffith, RN, BSN, ONC is the clinical director of the Orthopedic Center at Princeton Community Hospital. She oversees the program, collects quality data and oversees the operation of all aspects of the program. You will meet her at joint class. She takes pride in making sure every aspect of your experience is the best it can be. She can be reached at 304-487-7896
Helena has devoted years of her professional life to helping orthopedica patients recover from surgery. ONC stands for Orthopedic Nurse Certification. ONC designation means Helena has exceptional experience in orthopedic nursing, completed specialized training, and passed a comprehensive national certification examination.
What you can’t see, but you should know:
Your OCV doctor is only part of the big picture. When you choose where to have surgery, things you may not be able to see are important to your saftety and recovery.
State of the art technology. That’s a given at PCH. Your doctors will use the best technology and techniques to help you achieve your goals.
Teamwork by design: From the time you schedule surgery at the office through full recovery: Every doctor, nurse, operating room technician and therapist is specially trained to provide for your comfort, convenience,
Your care team at the Center includes administration, doctors, nursing, physical therapy, discharge planning and the operating room. Our team has gone the extra mile (actually many miles) to refine every aspect of our program.
What you will be part of:
You are not only the reason for the joint program, you are the center of the program. You will be asked to join us for follow up seminars. We want every patient to share at least one thing we can improve. We want you to help us insure the next patient will have an EVEN BETTER experience.
Enhanced Recovery:
The most important person in your recovery is YOU!
Your recovery begins when you decide to have surgery at OCV. The doctors and staff will collect detailed information to optimize your medical condition and create a specific plan for your recovery. We follow a detailed regimen for medical preparation, pain control and exercise to get you back on your feet. You and your family will work hard to regain the function you want. We will be there to guide you every step of the way.
Things we will be doing:
The doctors will be checking every aspect of your medical conditions, and communicating with your doctors at home. The information they gain from the myriad of questions they ask will be used to optimize your condition before and after surgery. In some cases, pre-operative evaluation and testing may identify possible problems. If problems are identified, further testing may be required. Even if the testing delays your surgery, your safety and recovery is our first concern.
Things you will be doing:
Set goals for your recovery. Be focused on what you want to do. Repeat that goal to yourself tell our team about it each day. Our team will help you achieve your goal one step at a time!
You will receive a printed manual as well as a personal online guide. You should select a “coach,” a relative or friend that will help you through your preparation and recovery. You will have exercises to do every day in preparation. Your joint book covers all the things you need to do leading up to the big day. Starting immediately after surgery, your coach will be there to help you do for yourself until your recovery is complete. Depending on your medical conditions, you may be very busy in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
Joint class:
You, your coach and family members will have the option to attend joint class. You will meet some of the people that will help you achieve your goals. Feel free to bring family members or others that may be interested in the process. Joint class is where questions about your preparation, surgery and recovery plans will be answered. Helena Griffith, RN, BSN will be coordinating your care. She is there to be sure your surgery goes smoothly.
Accommodations:
You will only be in the hospital for a short time, so hotel accommodations can add comfort and convenience for you and your family. We have special rates and arrangements with local hotels. Let our staff help you to make arrangements that are safe, convenient and affordable!
