Trending
HANCOCK -- UP Health System-Portage hospital is working to expand its orthopedic department, and that includes streamlining its use of instruments and implants in the department.
Nancy Archambeau, UPHSP perioperative services unit manager, said the hospital recently made a move to get all of their instruments and implant devices from a company called Synthes, which has headquarters in Switzerland and Pennsylvania.
Archambeau said the hospital was getting instruments and implants from various companies, including Synthes, for many years but decided to go with Synthes because it has been shown to produce quality devices, which can reduce the chances of infection.
"They have used this equipment before," she said of the orthopedic staff. "We've been serviced by this company for 15 years."
Synthes makes instruments needed in orthopedic surgeries, such as drills and saws, as well as plates and screws to hold the plates in place, Archambeau said.
Will Schuett, UPHSP marketing and physician relations specialist, said part of the reason for the growth of the orthopedic department at the hospital is because so many people locally are involved in outdoor activities, which can lead to injury, and because of the various university and high school athletic teams in the area.
"There's always a need for athletic orthopedic help," he said.
Schuett said the number of people who visit the orthopedic department is less than the number of people who actually end up getting surgery.
Archambeau said having quality instruments and implants to work with and keeping procedures consistant can help reduce the chances of infection or the need to repeat a surgery.
One of the efforts used at the hospital to reduce the chances of infection is a four-step procedure to make certain surgical instruments are properly cleaned before being used again, Archambeau said.