The physicians at the Bone and Joint Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital are board-certified in Orthopaedic surgery and specialists in hip and knee surgery. Their focus is on patient and family-centered care that puts you and your designated "coach" in the driver's seat of the recovery process. The surgeon is the team leader. The surgeon will be responsible for performing the surgery and monitoring your recovery. You will see the surgeon pre-operatively (in the office, on the day of surgery (to mark your operative joint) and then in follow-up.
The physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners (NP) will see you in the office as well as in pre-operative testing program to obtain your health history and perform a physical examination. PAs/NPs also assist the surgeon in the operating room and see you in the hospital. If you are a same day discharge patient, PAs will see you on the day of your surgery to check on how you are doing prior to discharge.
If you are a one night stay patient, they will see you every morning on rounds with your surgeon and in afternoons to follow your daily progress. The PAs/NPs in the office, pre-op testing program, and hospital are all very important members of your care team and will help to address any issues or concerns you may have.
Registered Nurses
After your surgery, you will be taken care of by nurses in the recovery room who will also transport you to the 4100/4200 unit. Upon arrival, a nurse will perform a brief assessment and set up any necessary equipment, such as a pulse oximeter, IV pump, and heart monitor. The nurse will explain the plan of care and answer any questions you or your family may have. Throughout your hospital stay, the nurses will continue to perform assessments until the time of your discharge.The nurses collaborate with the entire health team to ensure quality care in meeting your individual needs.
Patient Care Technicians (PCT)
The PCT will also be present upon your arrival at the inpatient unit. The PCT helps the nurses with activities such as monitoring your vital signs, setting up equipment, assisting you in walking and moving around, and other activities of daily living. The nurses and PCTs work together as a team to help you reach your optimal level of comfort and function.
Physical Therapists: Our exercise specialists and your personal trainers
The Bone and Joint Center has its own gym on the 4100/4200 unit just for our patients. Therapists will see you very soon after you arrive on the unit and start your exercise program immediately. For both the Same Day Discharge and One Night Stay patients, you will be up walking and exercising the day of your surgery. If you stay over one night, there is one “mega session” for therapy that starts early next morning, and you work until you are ready to go home with discharge usually between 11or 11:30 AM that day. Our therapists are specially trained in rehab for patients that have had a joint replacement and will help you speed both your discharge to home and recovery on your journey to wellness.
Discharge Planner
The discharge planner collaborates with the health care team to plan for your discharge needs. They arrange home care needs and will work with your insurance company to obtain authorizations for services that you may require immediately after discharge. One important role is to arrange for your home physical therapists to start visiting you the day after your discharge for 5-7 days before you start your outpatient physical therapy program. Of note, there are also assistive devices available that can be purchased in the Bone and Joint Center offices on the first floor.
