October 19, 2022

The collaborative Knoxville facility features an ASC and orthopedic urgent care center.

This summer, the University of Tennessee (UT) Medical Center opened The Orthopaedic Institute at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm in Knoxville. A Center of Excellence that replaces UT's former Advanced Orthopaedic Center, the 91,000-square-foot, three-story building includes an orthopedic ambulatory surgery center (ASC) as well as patient exam rooms, on-site imaging diagnostics, physical therapy and rehabilitative care.

The facility, a collaborative effort among The University of Tennessee Medical Center, OrthoTennessee and University Orthopaedic Surgeons, pledges to offer comprehensive orthopedic care, along with a focus on musculoskeletal research. OrthoTennessee relocated the existing University Orthopaedic Surgeons clinic from UT Medical Center's main campus to the new building, which is just across the street. Approximately 150 employees, including 14 orthopedic surgeons, work at the new building, caring for around 250 patients daily through surgeries, clinic visits, and imaging and therapy services.

The outpatient facility is conveniently located just outside the city center, with free parking. The ASC, located on the first floor, features five ORs and an advanced imaging center. The building also features a walk-in orthopedic urgent care facility that provides immediate treatment for acute bone, joint and muscle injuries.

"This partnership with OrthoTennessee and University Orthopaedic Surgeons combines outstanding orthopedic clinical and surgical knowledge with a research collaboration to address the growing needs of our community," says Joe Landsman, president and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Learn and see more about the facility in this YouTube video produced by Realty Trust Group, the real estate development partner for the project.

Complication rates are low, but also many and varied.

A systematic review of the current literature shed light on just how safe it is to perform spine surgery at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

The study performed by researchers from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, published in Clinical Spine Surgery, aimed to determine the rates of complications in relation to spine surgery in ASCs. "Recent improvements in anesthesia, surgical techniques and technological advances have facilitated a rise in the use of ASCs," write the researchers. "Despite the benefits and lower costs associated with ASCs, there is inconsistent reporting of complication rates."

The query covered nearly two dozen studies involving 11,245 patients involving numerous techniques, including open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, endoscopic, microsurgery and combined techniques. It found the following rates of complications: cardiac (0.29%), vascular (0.25%), pulmonary (0.60%), gastrointestinal (1.12%), musculoskeletal/spine/operative (0.59%), urologic (0.80%), transient neurological (0.67%), persistent neurological (0.61%), pain related (0.57%) and wound site (0.68%).

"This is the first study to comprehensively analyze the current state of literature reporting on the complication profile of all ASC spine surgery procedures," the authors wrote. Although the researchers found that case reports varied significantly with regard to the type and rate of complications reported, they believe their study provides complication profiles that will assist surgeons in counseling patients on the most realistic expectations.

As more ASCs ramp up spine service lines, they can feel assured that specific complications are rare, but given the wide variety of potential complications, they should proceed carefully and thoughtfully. However, outpatient spine centers can take heart from the low rates across the board.

This ASC partnered with Stryker to offer new services and an all-inclusive center under one roof.

Stryker

The challenge of running a successful ASC starts with the location and facility itself. But it also takes a dedicated team of experts to focus on the myriad of details during the planning stages, and the critical decisions that need to be made. Owners who have a desire to innovate and expand their business will want to choose carefully.

SmartCare Surgical Partners in Palm Harbor, Florida, is an example of the innovation and patient-centric solutions that make a business successful while following the trends in outpatient care. Under the direction of Vladimir Alexander, MD, founding partner of Alexander Orthopaedic Associates and CEO of SmartCare Surgical Partners, this ASC was able to combine new services with high quality patient experience and care.

Alexander Orthopaedic Associates has a stated mission "to provide the most innovative and most patient-focused care to our patients. Providing our patients with comprehensive care means we work with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation." Customized treatment plans and sophisticated surgical and nonsurgical techniques are coupled with compassionate care to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Founded in 2002 by Vladimir Alexander, M.D., Alexander Orthopaedics is the premier subspecialty orthopedic practice in the region, comprised of seven specialty physicians, seven physician assistants/nurse practitioners and a physical therapy team. The board-certified physicians are sub-specialty trained in multiple areas of orthopaedics including hip, spine, foot and ankle, shoulder, elbow, and hand and wrist surgeries.

The company has formed a new company, SmartCare Surgical Partners, and opened a surgery center in Palm Harbor, Florida. Recently, a video was released to showcase the journey of how this ASC was developed, and the decisions made along the way to create a patient-centric, world-class facility. Dr. Alexander and his COO, Dr. David Penello, developed a state-of-the art multi-specialty center.

Working with Stryker, the company focused on the Palm Harbor location throughout the construction process. As Dr. Penello notes in the video that follows, the partners were looking to elevate their patient experience to the highest standard of care — and partnering with Stryker made that possible. The convenience of working with one company to reach their goals allowed for a comfort level that made the 18-month journey successful. According to the doctors and their administrative leader, the Stryker ASC team exceeded expectations.

Now the Palm Harbor location fulfills Dr. Alexander's goal of being an all-inclusive center with the ability to take care of patients from the very beginning of their surgery journey through recovery and rehabilitation under one roof. That vision is what makes SmartCare Surgical Partners so special.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHKYuHDXkPI

Note: For more information about how Stryker can help you build and grow your ASC visit: https://www.stryker.com/us/en/care-settings/asc.html