Donors support award-winning Joint Replacement Program
Samaritan Albany General Hospital is proud to announce the recognition of its Joint Replacement Program by HealthGrades® with the highest rating of five stars, putting it among the top 10 percent in the nation.
The joint replacement team has worked hard to create a program that is seamless and all-inclusive. Joint replacement patients are guided through the surgery process with comprehensive face-to-face patient education and camaraderie with other patients and program staff. For example, the program features a pre-surgical class for patients. Approximately two weeks to one month prior to surgery, patients attend a three-hour meeting where a team of specialists -- a registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist and pharmacist -- all meet with the patients and present information in their areas of expertise. In addition, patients are able to complete the necessary pre-admission paperwork, lab and blood tests and medication history documentation all at the same time.
“The program empowers our patients,” said Shawna Wolfe, RN, program instructor and coordinator. “They come in knowing exactly what to expect and what to do when they get home.”
The 2011 HealthGrades® award recognizes the Joint Replacement Program as:
- Ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for joint replacement
- Ranked among the top five in Oregon for joint replacement
- Five-star rated for total knee replacement
- Five-star rated for total hip replacement
- Five-star rated for hip fracture replacement two years in a row
The Albany General Hospital Foundation supports the Joint Replacement Program by purchasing critical assistive devices for joint replacement patients who are uninsured or underinsured. For example, Medicare will not cover bathroom or shower equipment for joint replacement patients, equipment that is essential during the recovery process. Thanks to foundation funds, patients who couldn’t otherwise afford this equipment now have a resource.
Foundation funds medical equipment and programs proposed by managers
Each year, the Albany General Hospital Foundation invites hospital department and clinic managers to propose ideas for improving patient care through new equipment or programs. In 2011 the foundation provided $144,450 in funding for these ideas—impacting patients in all parts of the hospital as well as in Albany-area clinics. Examples include:
- A cardiac holter monitor for the Albany Internal Medicine Group
- A surgical stretcher and surgical recliner for the Ambulatory Surgery Department
- A fiberoptic scope for the Surgery Department
- A portable ultrasound and nasopharyngeal scope for the Pulmonology Department
- Blanket warmers for Infusion and Imaging departments and Samaritan Urgent Care in North Albany
- Funding for the Senior Companion Program
- Funding for nutrition education for hospital outpatients
- Program funding for the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center in North Albany
"Caring partnership" donates record amount
For the third year in a row, the Ladies Association of Spring Hill Country Club coordinated a "caring partnership" of local businesses and groups in support of the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center in North Albany. Through two golf tournaments, a spinning event at Fitness Experience and multiple sponsorships, the group netted nearly $17,000 for the center through the Albany General Hospital Foundation.
Ester Trivette, the association’s 2011 partnership chair, said literally hundreds of Linn and Benton residents got involved because the resource center helps anyone touched by cancer by providing support, renewal and connections.
"Our efforts stay local and this is appealing to those of us who participate," she said.