More People Having Hip and Knee Surgery Closer to Home

The Middlesex Hospital Alliance has received support to perform 47 more hip and knee joint replacement surgeries.  The additional total joint replacements come as a result of one time funding provided by the South West Local Health Integration Network (SW LHIN) for orthopaedic surgical volumes.

Nancy Maltby, Chief Operating Officer for the Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) expressed satisfaction with this initiative on behalf of the hospital.“This is great news as it demonstrates the MHA’s strategic focus on our surgical program to develop very efficient processes. It also shows the expertise of our surgeons, with patients realizing successful results.”

The breakdown of the additional surgical volumes awarded includes 6 hip and 41 knee procedures. In total, 270 surgeries were allocated among 6 hospital sites considered for the one time funding by the SW LHIN.

This boost of hip and knee surgeries was made after a review and scoring of hospital performance indicator results for access and quality over the most recent six quarters, together with consideration for increased hospital capacity. The performance scoring was based on Wait Time results, average length of hospital stay following surgery and discharge, readmission and revision rates.

“We have the surgeons, patient care team and capacity to perform more hip and knee surgeries locally so patients do not have to go to other hospitals,” said Nancy Maltby. “We look forward to further strengthening our orthopaedic surgical program to help meet the high demand for this service in our region.”

Total joint replacement has been provided closer to home for hundreds and hundreds of local residents since the hip and knee program started at SMGH in 2006.  By focusing on orthopaedic surgery, the MHA has increased its surgical capacity within the SW LHIN over the past few years, supporting one of the main priorities set by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care under the ‘Wait-Time Strategy’.

Total hip or knee replacements can greatly improve a patient’s quality of life, including reduction or elimination of pain and increase in mobility. Most hip and knee replacement surgeries take about one and half to two and a half hours, and patients can generally return to the majority of activities they love after an average recovery period of three to four months.

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