Before, During and After Surgery
Before Surgery
Once the patient and their orthopaedic or spine surgeon have decided on a course of treatment, Piedmont Augusta is there every step of the way to ensure the patient has as much information possible about treatment options, the hospital stay and rehabilitation.
Piedmont Augusta offers a number of educational classes designed for pre-operative patients. These include:
Piedmont Augusta’s Spine Education Class: Held the first and third Wednesday of the month, this class educates and guides patients through the spine surgery process and gives patients a chance to ask questions before surgery.
Piedmont Augusta’s Total Joint Replacement Education Class: Held the first and third Tuesday of the month, this class educates and guides patient through the surgery process for shoulder replacement, knee replacement and hip replacement surgeries. Patients have the chance to get their questions answered in this class.
During Surgery
Piedmont Augusta’s operating suites have been redesigned with the orthopaedic and spine patient in mind. These larger rooms were created to accommodate the latest radiological imaging technology used to aid surgeons during procedures.
Pain Protocol
The Multimodal Pain Management Protocol is helping Piedmont Augusta total joint replacement and spine surgery patients return to activity sooner.
Our fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons are the region’s leaders in providing this innovative protocol, which includes a special combination of pain medications delivered in Piedmont Augusta’s Surgery Care Center prior to surgery. These medications are tailored to work with the body’s five pain receptors to help reduce pain after surgery, which allows patients to get back on their feet faster.
After Surgery
If patients are admitted to the Piedmont Augusta after surgery, they are taken to the Orthopaedic & Spine Center, Piedmont Augusta’s $9 million renovation of the ninth floor. This renovation was an investment in our patients’ safety and comfort and is designed specifically for orthopaedic and spine cases, the new floor includes:
- 45 private rooms that are significantly larger than typical hospital rooms to allow more space for rehabilitation and equipment. The rooms also include:
- ADA-approved bathrooms
- Sleeper and recliner chairs
- Staff-patient boards to facilitate communication
- Outside pass-through for housekeeping to access clean linens and remove trash
- Walkers in the patient rooms
- Dedicated rehabilitation gym that includes:
- Simulated car to teach patients how to safely enter and exit a vehicle
- Pedal bike
- Mirror wall for walking training
- Group therapy sessions
- Comfortable family waiting room with ice machine, TV, coffee machine, vending machines and consultation room
- The expansive workspace for physicians and nurses includes:
- A central station along with three other nurse work areas
- Documentation stations between rooms
- Computers with wireless barcode scanning for medication safety as well as vital sign machines in every room
- Ice packs freezers so patients and families can use cold therapy for pain reduction
- Nursing supplies and equipment closer to the bedside reducing the steps between patients
- Physician work areas throughout the unit
- Dedicated case managers located centrally
- Education room for teaching classes and information sessions
