TMH offers Center for Joint Replacement program

Staff report

WARREN

ValleyCare Health System of Ohio is announcing a newly designed program offered at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, 1350 E. Market St., the comprehensive Center for Joint Replacement program.

It was created to change the way patients and their families think about and experience hip- and knee-replacement surgery, according to a news release from Cindy Catheline, ValleyCare’s director of marketing.

Based on a national best- practice model for hip and knee replacements and structured around the fundamental principles of wellness, the program has a customer-service focus and is aimed at giving patients the knowledge and tools to make the transition from hospital to home as smooth as possible.

Before surgery, patients attend a pre-operative class where they receive information on what to expect before, during and after their joint-replacement surgery.

They are encouraged to have a friend or family member act as a “coach” as they go through the joint-replacement process, beginning with the pre-op class and continuing through the recovery process.

A special, travel-themed unit is reserved for patients so that they are in a dedicated setting with other patients undergoing similar surgeries, ValleyCare officials said.

Patients wear their own clothes instead of hospital gowns, and they exercise together. This group approach is helpful because it makes recuperation more enjoyable, as patients encourage and support one another during their hospital stay. Patients also are treated to many amenities including group lunches, T-shirts, travel mugs and more.

The Center for Joint Replacement also is offering free, educational seminars every Thursday beginning May 7. Hip- or knee-pain sufferers are encouraged to attend.

For information on the program or the seminars, contact the joint-care coordinator at 330-841-9162.