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Danbury Hospital achieves advanced certification for total hip and knee replacement surgeryFebruary 4, 2024
The Joint Commission issued certification for providing high-quality, safe procedures.
Danbury Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in total hip and knee replacement surgery by demonstrating continuous compliance with rigorous performance standards. The Gold Seal reflects Nuvance Health’s commitment to providing high-quality, safe joint replacements.
The Joint Commission thoroughly reviewed Danbury Hospital’s joint replacement program and key performance indicators of patient safety and quality care, including excellent post-operative outcomes, short length of hospital stays and low readmission rates. In addition to the data collected, a Joint Commission reviewer performed an onsite review and observed and interviewed total hip and knee replacement staff and patients.
Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute Achieves Success with New Total Joint ProgramOctober 31, 2018 9:20 pm
DANBURY, Connecticut, October 25, 2018 — The Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute has launched a new Total Joint Program as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the patient experience and improving outcomes. The patient-centric Total Joint Program emphasizes standardization of care, patient and caregiver education, and early mobility.
In just the first two months of the program patient satisfaction scores have increased 12 percent. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of patients discharged to home versus a nursing facility; and, a decrease in the length of hospital stay so patients can heal in the comfort of their own homes after total joint replacement (TJR) surgery.
The Joint and Spine Institute incorporated a patient-centric destination model into the existing high quality care Danbury Hospital delivers to patients undergoing TJR. These improvements were launched thanks to a close collaboration between an administrative team and a multidisciplinary care team, including a patient navigator, orthopaedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses at Danbury Hospital.
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As a result of the innovative care they receive, many patients go home the next day after TJR surgery. Some patients opt for same-day TJR procedures and are able to go home within hours after surgery. The Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute coordinates with Western Connecticut Home Care, and other home health care organizations, so patients can convalesce safely in the comfort of their own homes. Studies show that patients have a better outcome when they go directly home after surgery, versus to a nursing home or short-term rehabilitation center.
“Through the Total Joint Program, we are achieving efficiencies and delivering even higher quality care with better outcomes,” said Sanjay Gupta, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Joint Replacement Specialist at Danbury Hospital. “At Danbury Hospital, we perform about 900 joint placements each year. The Total Joint Program is the result of our dedicated staff continually improving how we care for our total joint replacement patients. We are very excited to see that the program is proving to have a positive impact for our patients.”
Highlights of the Total Joint Program include:
A Dedicated Joint Unit
The Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute unit has 12 private patient rooms and a highly specialized team of nurses, physical therapists (PT), and occupational therapists (OT) dedicated to the care of TJR patients.
A Culture of Wellness, Early Patient Mobility, and Group Support
Patients wear their own clothing rather than a hospital gown.Patients are out of bed early in the morning, simulating a normal home schedule. They also participate in out-of-bed activities throughout the day.The Daily Patient Routine integrates nursing, PT, and OT.Group PT and an Ambulation Board titled “Sail On To Recovery” help track each patient’s progress and promote friendly competition. These recovery tactics have been proven to result in better outcomes.Caregivers and family members, or “coaches”, are included in therapy sessions to prepare them to assist in the patient’s recovery process.
Patient Education
A patient navigator provides personalized guidance to patients and their coaches as they progress through the Total Joint Program.Patients and their coaches attend a group Pre-Op Seminar four weeks before surgery so they know what to expect. Studies show that patients who are more prepared for surgery report a better experience and outcome.Patients are registered for Recovery Coach, a digital app that helps inform and prepare them for surgery with timely notifications, education modules, and reminders. They also have access to a guidebook to educate and coordinate care both pre- and post-surgery.During their stay at the Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute, patients receive a daily newsletter to set expectations for the day’s activities.
Standardized Patient Care, Tailored for Individual Needs
Standardized post-op and discharge orders create a more efficient, effective, and safe method for delivery of care. However, the Total Joint Program staff recognizes that each patient is different, with their own specific concerns.
“We take care of the emotional and physical needs of each of our patients, while also incorporating standardization so they know exactly what to expect when they have joint replacement surgery at Danbury Hospital. From intake to discharge to recovery, a network of staff at Danbury Hospital and Western Connecticut Health Network provide an individual approach to each patient,” said Dr. Gupta.
Pain after surgery is one of the biggest concerns for patients undergoing TJR. The Total Joint Program incorporates advanced pain management therapies, including innovative medicines and nerve blocks. A joint replacement pain management team, which is led by an anesthesiologist, consults with each patient before, during, and after surgery.
About Joint Replacement at Danbury Hospital
The Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute earned the Center of Excellence designation from the Joint Commission for providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle replacement. Our orthopedic surgeons are trained in less invasive techniques and the latest in pain management in order to provide safe, high quality care to all of our patients.
To learn more about the Danbury Hospital Joint and Spine Institute and new Total Joint Program, please visit our website.
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Dr. Antonio Paz on Treating Chronic PainFebruary 4, 2018 6:03 pm
Chronic pain can make even the simplest tasks hard to endure. Treating chronic pain with traditional methods over the last three decades has proven to be unsuccessful. And studies point to the fact that pain relief drugs, too often prescribed by physicians, have contributed to the current opioid epidemic…
Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Antonio Paz Host RVNA Panel on Knee and Hip PainNovember 4, 2017 7:00 pm
The RVNA is hosting a panel discussion on treatment options for addressing knee and hip pain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta will focus on surgical options for knee and hip pain, including same-day surgery. Dr. Antonio Paz will present the latest non-surgical treatments, and Gigi Weiss, RVNA director of rehabilitation services, will discuss rehabilitative therapies to complement both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Dr. Antonio Paz will present the latest non-surgical treatments, and Gigi Weiss, RVNA director of rehabilitation services, will discuss rehabilitative therapies to complement both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Pain Management Comes to the Forefront at Orthopaedic Specialists of ConnecticutMay 31, 2017 6:27 pm
Over the last three decades, diagnosing and treating chronic pain with traditional methods has proven to be unsuccessful. And studies point to the fact that the addictive quality of pain relief drugs has been a main factor that landed the nation in the middle of the current opioid epidemic.
But, patients who suffer from pain now have access to cutting edge solutions at Orthopaedic Specialists of Connecticut (OSC) — without resorting to addictive painkillers.
New Procedure That Relieves Knee PainSeptember 14, 2016 9:45 am
NEW HAVEN Conn. (WTNH) — Every year more than half of a million Americans require knee replacement surgery. Now orthopaedic surgeons with the Western Connecticut Health Network are using a new procedure that gives patients pain relief and allows them to keep their knee.
CT Doctor Gives Patients a Leg Up With New Knee ProcedureJune 17, 2016 7:23 pm
When his knee quickly swelled to three times its normal size after falling on the stairs, Nicholas Saccone of Carmel, NY knew something was seriously wrong. Saccone, 69, wasn’t able to walk or bend his knee and pain radiated throughout his leg. He immediately contacted Dr. Daniel Fish, a surgeon with Orthopaedic Specialists of Connecticut who had performed previous meniscus surgery on him.
CT Resident Continues Active Lifestyle after MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Replacement SurgeryAugust 5, 2015 6:19 pm
In the U.S., an estimated twenty percent of baby boomers will develop some form of osteoarthritis. When it develops on the knee as we age, the cartilage and menisci become stiffer and less flexible and becomes prone to even the slightest injury. Last spring, sixty-six-year-old Valerie Ward of Redding went on a regular three-mile walk with a friend when suddenly something happened within her right knee and she was unable to continue. A highly-motived media sales account executive for Cablevision, Ward rested her knee for a few days, however, the swelling and stiffness made it painful to walk or sleep comfortably so she made an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist…
MAKOplasty Robotic Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery Patient TestimonialJuly 24, 2015 6:30 pm
In the U.S., an estimated twenty percent of baby boomers will develop some form of osteoarthritis. When it develops on the knee as we age, the cartilage and menisci become stiffer and less flexible and becomes prone to even the slightest injury.
Last spring, sixty-six-year-old Valerie Ward of Redding went on a regular three-mile walk with a friend when suddenly something happened within her right knee and she was unable to continue. A highly-motived media sales account executive for Cablevision, Ward rested her knee for a few days, however, the swelling and stiffness made it painful to walk or sleep comfortably so she made an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist.
“Upon meeting Dr. Gupta, I felt very much at ease,” said Ward. “I left reassured because he was 95 percent confident that I would be eligible for a minimally-invasive robot-assisted MAKOplasty partial knee replacement procedure instead of total knee replacement surgery.”
Community Health Series: When Your Hip is HurtingApril 13, 2015 6:15 pm
Speaking to one of the largest audiences at this season’s Community Health Series, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s subject – “Common Causes of Hip Pain” – revealed little-known information about hip anatomy, injuries and treatment. Dr. Gupta is co-director of Joint Replacement at Danbury Hospital, which has been presenting this fall 2011 series, hosted by The Greens at Cannondale.
New Hips Fuel Passion for Horseback RidingApril 13, 2015 3:46 pm
Competitive horse jumper returns to sport after total hip replacements
Patricia Weiner Horsemen’s Corral, April 2011-Imagine Wellness Centre
With her 70th birthday approaching, Patricia Weiner was determined to let nothing interfere with her longtime passion for riding horses – including chronic pain caused by arthritis in both hips. Before having surgery she tried everything including Deca steroids alternative to try and prevent having to go through such a major surgery.
Is Thromboprophylaxis After Knee Arthroscopy Warranted?April 18, 2012 7:21 pm
The management of venous thrombophlebitis and thromboembolic disease has challenged the medical community for decades. The diagnosis can be elusive because of absent or mild clinical symptoms, and the potential outcome can be catastrophic. Major venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are uncommon after outpatient knee arthroscopy, although many orthopaedic surgeons are aware of cases of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) after this “low risk” surgery.
Daniel N. Fish, MD
J Bone Join Surg Am, 2012 Apr 18: 94 (8): e54
Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Causes Concern, But Many Options Are AvailableSeptember 9, 2011 6:18 pm
One year ago, on August 26, Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc, a part of the Johnson & Johnson Family Companies, issued a voluntary recall of the ASR XL Acetablular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System, following reports of new information indicating a greater number of required second hip replacements than had been expected.
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