Reid’s Joint and Spine Center, already established as a regional destination center for orthopedic issues, is expanding its focus on spine conditions. The new Integrated Spine Center will help patients with neck and back pain receive the care they need quickly—without long wait times.
At the heart of this center’s success is teamwork between two nurses: Marg Shepherd, nurse navigator, and Debbie Abney, care coordinator. Together, they oversee each patient’s experience and make sure that surgical and non-surgical patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible.
“Most patient with spine problems don’t need surgery, and can be treated successfully with pain management strategies or physical therapy,” said Abney. “Our goal is to make sure the best options are considered for each patient.”
The process begins when a patient calls Midwest Spine Surgeons seeking an appointment with Reid spine surgeons Gregory Hellwarth, M.D., or Ravishankar Vedantam, M.D. Instead of scheduling the appointment right away, Shepherd talks to the patient by phone to ask questions about his or her symptoms and health history. She then forwards the patient’s file, along with any imaging studies, to Drs. Hellwarth and Vedantam. They make a recommendation that Shepherd shares with the patient and referring physician.
Shepherd follows non-operative patients throughout their course of treatment to make sure they are receiving the care they need. The goal of this program is to schedule appointments with Hellwarth or Vedantam in a more timely manner, Shepherd said. If a patient opts for surgery, Shepherd provides pre-surgery teaching, then transitions the patient to Abney, who serves as point person during the hospital stay.
Abney and Shepherd communicate to ensure a smooth transition to outpatient care, which can include physical therapy and pain management. Shepherd follows patients’ progress for up to two years after surgery.
“Only four other facilities in Indiana offer an integrated spine program,” Abney said. “Providing this level of care coordination is very exciting, and we expect it to have a significant impact on patient satisfaction.”
The Integrated Spine Center is just one way the Reid Spine & Joint Center is helping people in our community experience relief and a better quality of life. The Center also offers comprehensive care for people with hip and knee pain, including those who need joint replacement surgery.
Reid Spine & Joint Center has been recognized as a Center for Advanced Recovery by the Stryker Corporation, which manufactures joint replacement systems. Stryker recognizes orthopedic and spine programs that exceed national benchmarks for excellence in clinical programs, operations and patient experience.
To learn more, please call the Reid Spine & Joint Center at 888-935-7572.
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