Fall River, MA – Saint Anne’s Hospital has announced that its Center for Orthopedic Excellence has earned advanced certification by The Joint Commission for its knee and hip replacement program.

Introduced nationally in early 2016 by The Joint Commission, the advanced certification program focuses on transitions of care from the pre-surgical orthopedic consultation to the intraoperative, hospitalization or ambulatory surgical centers admission, rehabilitation activities, and follow-up visit with the orthopedic surgeon.

Saint Anne’s advanced certification for hip and knee replacement follows the hospital’s initial certification in 2015. Saint Anne’s is one of just 18 hospitals nationally, one of only three non-academic centers, and the first hospital in Bristol County to earn The Joint Commission’s advanced certification for hip and knee replacement.

Michael Bushell, president of Saint Anne’s Hospital, said that advanced Joint Commission certification of the hip and knee replacement program is additional recognition of the hospital’s commitment to provide the region’s finest orthopedic care.

“From our pre-surgical patient and family education classes, through our team’s advanced surgical, anesthesia and rehabilitation expertise, our joint replacement program has become known for high-quality, exceptional patient care,” said Bushell.  “This is due in very large part to the dedication of our surgeons and anesthesiologists, hospital staff, and home care partners who have worked together to provide a high-level program that continues to result in outcomes on a par with leading orthopedic centers across the country.” 

About Saint Anne’s Hospital Center for Orthopedic Excellence

Saint Anne’s Center for Orthopedic Excellence offers advanced joint replacement care.  In addition to providing the state’s first MAKOplasty robotic-assisted technology for partial knee resurfacing and total hip replacement, Saint Anne’s offers a spectrum of surgical options, including total knee replacement, total shoulder replacement, traditional total hip replacement, and direct anterior approach for total hip replacement. 

For certain qualified patients, procedures such as total knee, partial knee and total hip replacement also are available on an outpatient basis.  In-hospital rehabilitation begins as early as the first day, with follow-up rehabilitation provided through discharge to home or skilled nursing facilities.

The orthopedic clinical team includes board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists, registered nurses specializing in orthopedics, and physical and occupational therapists with advanced training.  Patients and families participate in a pre-surgical education class to prepare for their surgical experience and are guided through the surgical planning and rehabilitation process by an orthopedic nurse navigator dedicated to assisting joint replacement patients.  Prospective patients also have access to a team of “orthopedic patient ambassadors,” experienced joint-replacement patients who are available to share their hospital experience, recovery and rehabilitation. 

In addition to hip and knee replacement, Saint Anne’s Center for Orthopedic Excellence includes arthroscopic surgery, hand surgery, surgical and non-surgical sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, pediatric orthopedics, arm and shoulder surgery, concussion management, and general orthopedics.  More than 30 orthopedic surgeons perform more than 5,000 orthopedic procedures annually at the hospital’s surgical facilities in Fall River, Dartmouth and Attleboro. 

In recognition of its excellence in joint replacement, Saint Anne’s Hospital has been awarded advanced certification for hip and knee replacement by The Joint Commission and designated as a Blue Distinction Center + for Hip and Knee Replacement by Blue Cross Blue Shield.