A new unit is being established at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s to help shorten wait times for hip replacement surgery.
Officials say such surgeries are on the rise, with estimates topping 600 a year.
Premier Andrew Furey, an orthopedic surgeon by trade himself, says the 12-bed unit will free up other beds throughout the hospital system and improve patient outcomes.
He says what might be a routine procedure for the surgeon is a big surgery for the patient, adding recovery from hip surgery can be complicated when patients have to be moved around the hospital for various care.
Premier Andrew Furey and Health Minister John Hogan. (VOCM News)
“We want to make sure that these people are being looked after by a dedicated group of people who understand the care continuum,” Furey says.
Officials note hip fracture repairs are urgent, and surgeries can result in cancellation of other planned surgeries. NL Health Services anticipates the new unit will help decrease elective surgery cancellations by 100 per year.
They also expect to see more than 500 hip fractures in the province by the end of the year, which is estimated to increase to 800 a year due to the aging population.
