Page 58 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING outpatient surgery
Recognized as Center of Excellence
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists
The Gulf Coast is known for many things, but innovative healthcare continues to make its
way to the top of the list. Through
a recent partnership between Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi (BCBSMS) and Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists, the Bienville Surgery Center has become the first and only surgical clinic on the Coast to be
able to perform total knee and hip replacement surgeries as outpatient procedures. The center’s surgical facility has also been recognized by BCBSMS as an Outpatient Orthopaedic Center of Excellence.
Due to clinical advancements that have been made over time in the hospital setting, surgeries such as
hip and knee replacements that
have traditionally been performed
as inpatient procedures can now be performed as outpatient surgeries. Not only is this more cost effective, but it allows patients to begin recovery at home on the same day as the surgery.
“Outpatient hip and knee surgery
has been shown
to have a safety profile equal to or better than inpatient joint replacement
in healthy,
well-motivated
patients,” said John K. Drake, M.D., president of Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists. “Our joint replacement team at Bienville Surgery Center is dedicated to safe, successful surgery in the outpatient setting. It is done at significant cost savings compared to the traditional inpatient hospital stay and traditional rehabilitation.”
While the inpatient stay for joint replacement surgery averages between one and three days, outpatient recovery times for the same surgery compare at only five to six hours. Following the surgery, patients can recover from the comfort of home under the supervision of a Network Home Healthcare Provider who is
in direct communication with the Bienville Orthopaedic team.
This joint replacement healthcare
THE SURGICAL TEAM performs an operation
at the Bienville Surgery Center.
delivery model is available to Blue Cross & Blue Shield patients as well
as State of Mississippi Health Plan participants. Along with insurance factors, prospective patients must meet specific criteria related to their overall health and risk factors. Additionally, the partnership between BCBSMS and Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists will expand from traditional fee-for-service payment models to a value-based episode of care payment model that focuses primarily on the patient and their quality of care.
228.230.2663 • www.bienvilleortho.com
58 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2018
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