2 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2023 Growing orthopedic services in our area By Nicole Williams, COO In 2008, Columbia Memorial Hospital opened its Specialty Clinic, including orthopedics and physiatry services, at a time when the U.S. housing bubble had just burst, leading to the worst recession in modern history. The CMH Health & Wellness Pavilion’s first and second floors also opened that year, with space for the Specialty Clinic completed on the third floor in 2009. Despite the financial downturn, CMH continued building on past successes and looking toward future growth. “Even during challenging economic times, our promise to you continues — bringing quality health care to the Columbia coast region,” wrote Terry Finklein, CEO at the time, in the hospital’s Community Report for 2008. Today, our promise is the same. Our new mission statement, “We help people live their healthiest lives,” and our Board’s strategic plan guide us as we make progress toward our goals. After 15 years of providing orthopedic care in the Pavilion, we are excited to launch an expanded program in 2023. A new era of robotic-assisted surgery In July, our Stryker Mako SmartRobotics system was delivered, making CMH the only hospital with this market-leading total joint technology on the Oregon and Washington coasts. We also welcomed a new orthopedic surgeon, Daniel Fabiano, MD, to the CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic. We now have a total of six orthopedic providers — three surgeons and three advanced practice practitioners — to meet the community’s needs and provide 24/7 orthopedic coverage for patients. Our orthopedic team operated on our first Mako patients in August, beginning a new era of robotic-assisted surgical abilities right here in Astoria. With the BuildCMH Expansion Project moving forward, we’ll add more operating and recovery spaces, increasing patient access to specialty care in our region. We’re keeping our promise to you — delivering high-quality health care, right here at home. Steps for total joint replacement Are you considering a joint replacement surgery? CMH offers total knee, shoulder and hip replacements through our experts at the CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic (total ankle replacements are available through the CMH-OHSU Health Foot & Ankle Clinic). Throughout the joint replacement process, you’ll meet with many members of the surgical team, including medical assistants, nurses, surgeons, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and discharge planners. Your visits will be tailored to your needs. Here’s what else you can expect: 1 First, you’ll review your x-ray images with a surgeon in the clinic and partner with a surgical nurse coordinator after approval for surgery. 2 You’ll need to see your medical provider or establish care with one, as well as see your dentist within the six months prior to your surgery. You may also need to see more specialists to be prepared for surgery. 3 The surgery team will work with you to develop a plan. You’ll have a surgery coordination appointment and a pre-op appointment to sign consent forms and learn more about what to anticipate before, during and after surgery. 4 You’ll also complete a phone call with the anesthesia nursing team to discuss health history. 5 Before surgery, you will need to prepare your home or recovery space by removing hazards. 6 On the day of surgery, you’ll check in and be escorted to the pre-op unit. You’ll change into a gown and apply sterile wipes. A nurse will take your vitals, and an IV will be prepared. You’ll also meet with your anesthesia provider. 7 Surgery will take one to two hours. Your visitors will be shown where to wait. 8Afterward, we’ll help you manage pain with medications, elevation and ice. 9 When you can get out of bed and mobilize, you can return home. Then you’ll start outpatient physical and occupational therapy to help you recover and build your strength. Benjamin Sherman, DO, orthopedic surgeon, meets with a patient in the CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic.
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