Hospital Earns Elite Certification for Joint Replacement November 9, 2020 Samaritan Albany General Hospital has been recognized as a DNV GL Healthcare-certified Hip & Knee Replacement Center. The hospital is one of two in the state and one of only three on the West Coast to carry this designation. “Our hip and knee replacement program is absolutely top-notch,” added James Ryan, MD, medical director for orthopedics at SAGH. “This is a hospital-wide program that represents the best of administrators, nurses, surgeons and countless other staff.” The certification as a Hip & Knee Replacement Center validates the hospital’s excellence across the spectrum of hip and knee replacement care, from diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, education and outcomes. “This certification is a huge accomplishment and speaks to the quality of care that we provide our patients,” said Kelli Baum, DO, orthopedic surgeon at SAGH. “Not only does it represent excellent patient outcomes and low complication rates, but it also signifies the exceptional level of care our hospital provides for those undergoing joint replacement.” The joint replacement program at SAGH prepares the patient for both surgery and after-care – starting from their initial visit with Samaritan Medical Group Orthopedics and continuing across the care pathway with the Total Joint Replacement class, pre-op, surgery, post-op and discharge. “The program is patient-centered and has a well-educated staff who understand the details of caring for elective hip and knee joint replacement patients,” said Misty Samard, total joint replacement coordinator at SAGH. The Hip and Knee Replacement Certification recognizes program excellence in patient care and outcomes, based on standards set forth by DNV GL – Healthcare and considering the guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Our patient feedback is tremendous, and we consistently receive exceptional accolades from our patients,” said Melinda Papen, vice president of nursing at SAGH. “Our team works hard to provide a positive and unforgettable patient experience and we are very proud of our achievement. It aligns with the Five-Star hospital rating we received from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.” Within health care, DNV GL helps its customers achieve excellence by improving quality and patient safety through hospital accreditation, disease-specific certifications and quality-management training. “This certification tells our community that we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible care for hip and knee replacement,” said Dan Keteri, chief executive officer for SAGH. “It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to exhibit excellence in orthopedic surgery within the scope of hip and knee replacement and related procedures. Achieving certification validates all the effort we have put into this program to ensure the health and safety of our patients.” To learn more about Samaritan’s Joint Replacement Program, visit samhealth.org/JointReplacement or call 541-812-5820.
