Patients Age: 63
Admission Date: 6/14/17
Admitted From: Southern Hills Medical Center
Discharge Date: 6/28/17
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 14 days
Reason for Stay: Right Total Knee Replacement
How did this patient hear about Heritage Center? Orthopedic physician referral.

Details of Experience:

Carolyn is a 63-year-old female who was referred to Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing by her insurance company and her orthopedic physician prior to undergoing a total right knee replacement. She arrived to our community approximately two weeks prior to undergoing her surgery to tour our center and observe all of the amenities offered to her during her potential rehabilitation journey. Upon completion of her tour, she confirmed her surgery date and was reassured that we would receive details from her case manager at Southern Hills Medical Center when she was prepared to transfer from the hospital. Ms. Mitchell was somewhat anxious regarding all the details, but our admissions team reassured her that the process would run seamlessly and she had nothing to worry about.

Upon admission to our community, Carolyn was prepared to begin working in therapy so she could return home. She was already walking prior to her admission to Bethany, but needed to regain strength and additional range of motion in her RLE. Her grandson lived with her, but she wanted to ensure she would be fully independent post-surgery, opting her decision to admit to a skilled nursing facility as opposed to returning home from the hospital. She was always ready to work hard with our staff and several members of our nursing team recall meeting her in the hallway after she was able to have her first complete shower. Her face said it all as to how happy she was to be able to complete a task so many of us take for granted on a daily basis. Other staff members were able to watch as she was riding our stationary bicycle; she was even able to go all the way around with her surgical knee, a great accomplishment!

Every day Carolyn got better, stronger and more independent with her activities of daily living. Her orthopedic surgeon was highly impressed with her progress. Several times during her stay, several nurses recall meeting her in the hallway walking with her walker and later in her stay, without any assistive device. She remained positive throughout the entire process and was always so complimentary of our staff in every department. Carolyn kept a smile on her face, even when therapy was difficult, and her therapy team believe this helped many of our other patients and residents.

Carolyn completed her therapy in just two weeks and when she left the community, no one would have guessed that she just had a total knee replacement surgery just over two weeks prior. She stated that when and if she had her left knee done, that she would gladly come back to Bethany for her rehabilitation!