Province First to Provide Website For Hip and Knee Patients
Patients waiting for hip and knee replacements in Nova Scotia now have access to a reliable source of information to help them prepare for surgery.
The orthopaedic patient information website, called MySurgery and available at http://mysurgery.nshealth.ca shows people what to do and what to expect from the time their family physician refers them to a surgeon to the recovery and rehabilitation period after surgery.
"Wait times for orthopaedic surgery are unacceptable, and this is an important first step in a broader plan," said Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. "This website will give patients the information they need to get ready for surgery and help them make lifestyle changes that can lead to better results after surgery."
The information on the website has been created in consultation with health-care professionals offering orthopaedic services in Nova Scotia. Patients and educators were also key contributors to the website, which is the first of its kind launched by a province. It is another important step in using the Internet to provide health information to Nova Scotians. The province was recognized in June by the Wait Times Alliance as being a leader in providing comprehensive wait time information.
Dr. Kevin Orrell, chair of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, called this a win-win situation because it helps doctors and patients by providing a reliable and up-to-date website.
"Before many of our orthopaedic procedures, we should be doing something that will help the patient to prepare for the operation. Looking after other medical problems prior to an operation makes the patient better fit for the surgery that's planned."
Dr. Rick Gibson, district chief of Family Practice, Capital District Health Authority, served as a clinical advisor for the website.
"This website offers relevant, easily understood, practical information for patients, and it was written by Nova Scotians for Nova Scotians, so it reflects the way our system works. It's a great one-stop shop for patients."
In some cases, making significant lifestyle changes such as eating better, getting proper nutrition, or exercising more, can help make a big difference in the quality of life for the patient before the surgery.
The other benefit to making such lifestyle changes is that it helps with rehabilitation after surgery. A healthier patient is more likely to heal faster, begin exercising sooner and put less strain on other joints.
To help reduce wait times for orthopaedic surgery, the Department of Health is working with health authorities to introduce a Patient Access Registry and to establish pre-habilitation programs in districts that offer orthopaedic surgery.
Pre-habilitation is similar to Capital Health's Orthopaedic Assessment Clinic, which has helped improve patient satisfaction because all patients are seeing an orthopaedic surgeon for consultation within the national benchmark of 90 days.
The Patient Access Registry will help provide more accurate information about how many patients are waiting for surgery and how to use operating room resources more efficiently.
The website was funded by Health Canada.