Our Lady of the Lake's orthopedic unit has 32 beds serving orthopedic adult and occasional pediatric patients. Clinical activity includes, but is not limited to, monitoring infection control, nutrition/hydration, discharge planning, medication administration, nursing process, pain management, patient education, patient safety, patient satisfaction, skin integrity, neurovascular assessment and fracture management.
Care is provided by RNs and LPNs with the assistance of nursing assistants. Clinical Services Representatives provide the physician order entry as well as clerical duties of the unit. There is a nurse manager with two nurse supervisors to assist. PCA assist with the patients needs also. The staff ratio and mix are adjusted every shift according to the acuity level of the patient. There are several clinical paths in process including ACL, back pain, bilateral bunionectomy, fracture hip, fracture femur, lower extremity fracture, upper extremity fracture, shoulder reconstruction, total hip and total knee.
To provide for the total care of the orthopedic patient there is interaction with other clinical departments including, but are not limited, to respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and social services.
In order to better prepare patients undergoing total joint replacement or spine surgery, OLOL provides a total joint and spine education program at no cost. The Lake Joint Effort provides information on the sequence of events that will occur throughout your hospital stay. Before surgery, patients are scheduled to attend a total joint or spine education class. Family members are encouraged to attend. Call the Total Joint Program Coordinator at 225-765-8302 for more information.
