Mercy Northwest opens post-operative orthopedic surgery unit

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas has opened a 22-bed unit dedicated to the post-operative needs of patients undergoing orthopedic and spine surgeries.

Mercy has also added an orthopedic service line coordinator and a nurse navigator who help guide joint replacement patients through treatment, from ensuring they have appointments booked correctly to escorting them through their surgery day and adding a layer of post-surgical checks on their progress.

“Having been through knee replacement myself, I’m thrilled Mercy Hospital is adding these important, specialized services for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures,” said Eric Pianalto, president of Mercy Hospital. “Orthopedic patients’ needs are different from patients recovering from an illness and we think this dedicated unit will serve them well.”

The unit includes 14 beds dedicated to inpatients who typically spend one day in the hospital after a surgery such as knee replacement. It also includes eight beds for outpatients who leave the hospital the same day as their surgery, including patients undergoing minimally invasive hip replacement.

One unique feature is a therapy gym in the unit where patients begin physical therapy almost immediately after their surgeries. This prompts shorter hospital stays.

“Statistically, patients do best with a short hospital stay and recovering in their own homes, so we get them home as soon as we can,” said Lindsay Kemp, orthopedic service line coordinator. “We’re very proud of our excellent outcomes for patients.”

Mercy said the new unit compliments the services of Mercy Clinic Orthopedics – Rogers, whose team of seven surgeons and five physician assistants also offer orthopedics treatment and surgery.