Orthopedic program shifts focus to wellness

Hospital gowns are out and workout clothes are in on the Orthopedic unit at Baptist Hospital East.

With a new focus on wellness, patients are encouraged to take charge of their recovery and get moving – both in the hospital and once they go home.

Patients select a coach who comes with them to a surgery preparation class, then helps guide them through recovery.

Joint replacement is an elective procedure and the patient is not sick, so the focus is on wellness. All patients who elect to have joint replacement will be candidates for Baptist East's program. They have to have a coach. The program encourages the coach to spend time with the patient and come to class with them if possible.

Coaches are key to encouraging patients to get moving, and continue once they return home. Patients get dressed every day, donning loose-fitting clothing suitable for daily physical therapy sessions.

Group therapy is conducted in the nearby Physical Therapy gym, rather than individually in patient rooms and hallways. 

Therapy is done in groups to develop camaraderie among the patients and some spirit of competition.

Baptist East increased the physical therapy staff to provide more patient services to meet their needs.

Having the coaches improves the communication with the patient and family to get them more involved in their care while they are here.

The gym includes a dining area where patients have at least one meal a day to relate and learn from one another. The evening before they’re discharged, patients have a meal together and learn what to do when they return home.

The "going home" talk underscores formal discharge instructions.

The changes were initiated by medical staff, and patterned after a program in Annapolis, Md.