VALLEY BAPTIST ONCE AGAIN AWARDED “GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL” FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT

HARLINGEN – Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen has been re-certified with a “Gold Seal of Approval™” specifically for knee and hip replacement surgeries by a national accrediting organization for healthcare organizations, the Joint Commission. In 2011, the accrediting organization, which is based in Illinois. granted Valley Baptist the first-ever specialty certification in the Valley for knee and hip replacement.

Knee and hip replacement surgery is performed at Valley Baptist for patients who have pain, discomfort, or loss of function because of arthritis, accidents, or other causes. The replacement surgery is designed to help restore the patient’s ability to walk and relieve pain. Dr. Rick Bassett, Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director of Valley Baptist-Harlingen’s Orthopedics / Joint Replacement Program, has performed more than 12,000 knee replacement and 3,000 hip replacement surgeries at Valley Baptist.

Following joint replacement surgery, patients recover on a specially-equipped orthopedics floor, with 39 large, private rooms, staffed by nurses experienced at caring for joint replacement patients. Overhead trapezes and bars above the patient beds help recovering patients by providing leverage when they are trying to move in their bed or get in or out of the bed. Once the patient is out of bed, they begin to walk again with assistance from physical therapists and side rails located along the hallways in the unit.

Valley Baptist also offers comprehensive rehabilitation programs which range from an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program to outpatient services after discharge from the hospital. Physical therapy plays a major role in the recovery of orthopedic patients, with Valley Baptist patients receiving physical therapy twice a day.

Valley Baptist holds weekly pre-operative “Joint Camp” classes to educate patients prior to their surgery and to prepare them for their hospital stay. Patients and family members are also taught how to care for themselves after they return home following discharge from the hospital. Mary Martinez, RN, Joint Care Coordinator for Valley Baptist, who follows patients from admission to discharge, teaches the classes in both English and Spanish every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for patients who have scheduled surgeries.

Maureen Rattray, RN, Nurse Director for the Valley Baptist’s orthopedics floor, said a major focus of Valley Baptist’s joint replacement program is on managing pain for patients. Valley Baptist chaplains help by providing spiritual and emotional support for patients before and after their surgery.

For more information on knee, hip and other joint replacement procedures, please consult your physician and visit ValleyBaptist.net.