Adena Health System today hosted a live, international surgery simulcast to Germany and sites across the United States. Dr. Brian S. Cohen, an Adena orthopaedic surgeon and chair of Adena Bone and Joint, performed the surgery where he installed a state-of-the-art reverse shoulder implant in a 72-year old patient.  Dr. Cohen is the first surgeon in the U.S. to implant the Arthrex Reverse Universe device into a patient since the implant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 31, 2013.

Dr. Cohen, a respected orthopaedic surgeon, also teaches surgical orthopaedic techniques to other physicians. In addition, he contributed to the actual design of the new implant. “When I first saw the Arthrex Reverse Universe about five years ago, there were certain things that I felt – from doing the procedure – that were missing from the implant which were essential,” said Dr. Cohen. “Some of those changes have been implemented.”

The new device is more cost effective, and uses technology not previously available in reverse shoulder implants. This technology is expected to provide a better, longer lasting bond over time. Of his contributions, Dr. Cohen added, “It is nice when people take stock in what you believe is important in helping your patients have a successful outcome, and then to implement them into a prosthesis.”

Reverse shoulder implant surgery is intended to replace the ball and socket of the rotator cuff, giving the patient better range of motion. Following reverse shoulder implant surgery, the part of the human shoulder which once held the socket now holds the ball and vice versa. By reversing the components of the shoulder, the patient’s mobility is greatly improved and most often leads to a better quality of life after surgery.

The patient suffered a torn rotator cuff injury several years ago and had an extensive course of traditional treatments for pain and mobility. Over time, the tear evolved to the point it had become debilitating and impacted his quality of life. Reverse shoulder implant surgery is often necessary when a patient suffers a rotator cuff injury or joint degeneration.

Learn more about Adena Bone and Joint.

Didactic Grand Rounds Series: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome/Coronavirus Update. Adena physicians collaborate with the Graduate Medical Education interns to cover topics in hospital care situations utilizing an evidence-based teamwork approach to provide new information and latest technologies in current medicine. The event will be held Wednesday, July 10 from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM in the Board Room at Adena Medical Center. David W. Towle, DO, will help to explain this novel viral outbreak, inform the medical staff on how the threat evolves, and to optimize public health awareness.

When you or a loved one are faced with an emergent or elective surgery, it can be a scary time and you likely have many questions. We live in an age where we can find information about nearly anything, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to look or what to ask. While Google or WebMD offer information on many topics, your health care provider and the team of medical professionals in your physician’s office know you best, and should be your primary source when questions arise.

I have been a registered nurse at Adena Health System for nine years, and currently serve as the patient navigator for patients undergoing total joint replacement at Adena Bone and Joint.  Patient navigators are becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare industry and are helping to improve medical outcomes, patient satisfaction and reduce missed appointments. Two years ago, Adena Health System realized the benefit of “navigation” to patients and started the patient navigator program.

As a total joint replacement patient navigator my role is to help patients “navigate” through the healthcare system from the time they decide to have surgery, until after they are no longer under the care of the surgeon. When Dr. Eric Schiffman explains the role of the navigator to our patients, he says the patient navigator is their “lifeline” throughout the joint replacement journey. This is so true in the sense that the navigator guides the patient through every step of the surgical and rehabilitative process.

Seeing the benefit of navigation for patients through the joint replacement process, and in areas of family practice, Adena has recently added navigators to physician practices throughout the Health System. Navigators are assisting patients with the questions that come up related to their treatment plan, helping patients manage chronic diseases like diabetes, and preparing them for testing or upcoming surgeries.

Adena embraces and encourages best practices when it comes to patient-centered care. We have a team of close-to-home experts to help answer your health-related questions and will guide you through the process of achieving or maintaining better health.

If you have a question about Total Joint Replacement or would like to make an appointment, call Adena Bone and Joint at (740) 779-4598. For more information on Adena Bone and Joint, please visit our webpage.

- Michelle Hendershot, RN, BSN

Adena Health System has changed hospital billing statements to give patients itemized detail of charges for services. Recognizing the statements have been a common source of frustration for our patients, the new bills are being utilized immediately.

“This is what our patients have been asking for,” said Adena President and CEO Mark Shuter. “With itemized billing, we expect more accurate billing all of the time. In addition, patients can now see exactly for what they are being charged.”

Previously, Adena statements simply showed the total amount due and listed payment options such as cash, check or credit card. With the former statement, recipients often had questions about their charges.

The new bill offers an itemized summary list of charges, includes dates of service, and the total charge for the visit or hospital stay. Adena anticipates with the itemized statement, patients will have fewer billing questions and will be more likely to make prompt payment, resulting in fewer accounts going to collections.

The online registration deadline for the 2012 Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament has been extended to Sunday, June 9.  Teams have until midnight to register.

The tournament, hosted by Adena Sports Medicine, will be held June 22 and 23 on the campus of Ohio University – Chillicothe. There will be licensed officials on all courts and participation is open to everyone six years and older, with divisions for experienced players as well as the new Mini Macker division for players as young as six years old.    

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Adena Health Foundation’s Sports Medicine Fund.  The Fund benefits area schools and communities in the purchase of medical equipment used to treat sports injuries, scholarships to academically high-achieving high school senior athletes in the region, and other outreach activities.

To register a team for the Gus Macker 2012 tournament, visit www.macker.com.

Organizers also welcome volunteers and Gusbusters to assist with this year’s tournament. If you would like to participate, call (740) 253-5863, email gusmacker@adena.org or register online.