Almost one year after the launch of its Spine Surgery program, Henry Mayo has put into place part two of the program—Joint Replacement Surgery. For the hospital, this means one step closer to becoming a center of excellence for joint replacement and spine surgery. For patients, it means receiving the best possible care right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Pam Geyer, RN, spine and joint program clinical navigator has been getting the word out to the community that with the quality of physicians and services at Henry Mayo, there is no reason to travel outside the Santa Clarita Valley for joint replacement and spine surgery.

For the past year, Geyer has been providing support and teaching pre-surgical patient education classes for spine surgery. This summer, Geyer will begin teaching pre-surgical education classes to patients who are scheduled for elective joint replacement surgery.  The class focuses on knee, hip and shoulder surgeries using models with implants in place. Pain management is also discussed. Classes, which are also open to patient families and caregivers, are held every other week, alternating with the spine surgery classes. To participate, patients can contact Geyer at (661) 200-2225.

“As with the spine class, the joint replacement surgery class is comprehensive,” Geyer said. “Our goal is to have patients come to the hospital for their surgery knowing what to expect. By reducing their anxiety through education, each patient will be prepared for their surgical experience. This will contribute significantly to better post-operative outcomes; their whole recovery will be improved.”

The goal is to achieve The Joint Commission Disease Specific Certifications for spine surgery, knee, shoulder and hip surgeries. Data will be collected before applying for the certifications in the near future, according to Geyer.

“Through the program, we are monitoring pain management for patients, conducting full patient satisfaction surveys, monitoring for post-operative infections and developing a functional outcomes evaluation program,” she said.

The hospital is publishing a new Joint Replacement Surgery Guidebook to educate patients from the time they are scheduled for surgery through their hospitalization and recovery.