All of these questions can help specialists pinpoint what areas of the
outpatient process they should focus on as they help lay out a day-of-
surgery schedule.
"We're trying to change the habit of how they've been doing things,"
says Mr. Walters.
Medtronic takes a slightly different approach to helping you plan
out your facility's workflow. In its program, which it charges for, the
company sends staff and surgeon advisors to help implement day-to-
day protocols in your facility as you gear up to host outpatient total
joint procedures. Surgeons are asked to sign "commitment" con-
tracts, stating the facility will use Medtronic's Radius360 consulting
program for a set number of years, typically 2, says the company.
"Within that time, you're able to establish the right criteria and pro-
tocols," says Adam King, vice president of orthopedic solutions for
Medtronic.
5. Send patients pre- and post-op texts
A total joint patient is in your facility for only a matter of hours, but
what the patient does beforehand to prepare for surgery and after dur-
ing recovery and rehab is critical to the success of your program. Text
message reminders certainly help keep patients on the right track.
Zimmer Biomet lets you send out automatic messages to patients,
reminding them to prepare for the day of surgery. You can also send
automatic messages following surgery to remind your patients to
complete their physical therapy properly. (Physical therapists say
most patients do only about 25% of their prescribed exercises follow-
ing a surgical procedure, says Mr. Walters.)
The texts "give patients the feeling that their care team is watching
them," which holds them accountable and improves compliance, says
Mr. Walters.
OSM
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