MDNews - Greater Boston

Continued from Page 7 Comprehensive Care The new center is designed to provide a wide array of services orthopedic patients need — from imaging services to physical therapy, a spine center and a pain management program — under one roof. "It's a huge conven ience for patients to have a one-stop service," Dr. Richmond says. The comprehensive approach to designing and staffing the orthopedic center spared no detail, he says. "We've put in the best equipment for rapid and effective sterilization," he says. "As the complexity of the outpatient procedures goes up, there's clearly a concern that infection rates could go up, and we want to make sure that doesn't happen." Dr. Richmond also believes that the open and inviting architecture of the new building is crafted to improve patient outcomes. "It is attractive and pleasant, and that makes it a more pleasant place to be for both patients and staff," he says. "Attitude definitely affects patient outcomes." Pain Management Dana Zalkind, MD, has maintained a pain management practice at New England Baptist since 1996 and believes that having a comprehensive set of pain management treatments at the new center will help patients achieve the best possible quality of life, whether they achieve full recovery or require treatment for chronic conditions. "The number of individuals affected by chronic pain is enormous," she says, noting some reports that put the figure of affected Americans as high as 90 million. "The problem is that orthopedic conditions are not always improved surgically." PHOTO © RYAN RICHARDSON "Being right on 128 is a definite advantage for some of our patients," he says. "We have a broad draw from all over eastern New England." The new center is also drawing attention in the Greater Boston medical community, with a number of orthopedic surgeon practices already signed up to lease space in the facility. Dana Zalkind, MD, has maintained a pain management practice at New England Baptist since 1996. For orthopedic pain management, patients at the new center will not only have access to therapies, such as medication and interventional techniques, through Dr. Zalkind's program but also physical therapy, physiatry assessments and many other services available in neighboring offices, including a wellness center. For those suffering from chronic pain, Dr. Zalkind says her staff focuses on making pain a manageable part of life, noting many orthopedic patients, such as those with back pain, can regain functionality to be more active at work and at home. Improving outcomes for these patients has far-reaching implications. "Chronic pain is a huge burden on the whole healthcare system," she says. With so many specialties in one location, Dr. Zalkind believes that the new outpatient center has built-in caregiving advantages. "The goal is to become a center of excellence for pain management," she says of her program. "We will be able to do more testing and research and be able to look at outcome studies and functional improvements. It's oftentimes difficult to measure how a patient is progressing with pain, given that it is a subjective experience." With the center staffed by longtime New England Baptist caregivers as well as surgeons who have lengthy affiliations with the hospital, Dr. Zalkind says she is looking forward to the opportunities for effective collaborations. "It's a great team of people to be working with," she says. "It will be wonderful for our patients to have their care delivered in a convenient, centralized location." Rising to the Challenge Hannon says the outpatient center reflects New England Baptist's commitment to providing high-quality, exceptional care to the full range of orthopedic patients no matter how daunting the challenge. She feels that the new center will help ensure New England Baptist's ability to maintain an excellent level of care for patients in a safe and cost-effective manner. "We're going to do more and more complex surgery in an outpatient setting," she explains. "It is a lower-cost environment and allows patients to recover safely in their homes with support." Dr. Richmond says the hospital has created a state-of-the-art outpatient facility that will advance New England Baptist's prime objective. "We're totally focused on providing the very best care," he says. For more information about New England Baptist Hospital's new outpatient center or to refer a patient, please call 855-851-DOCS (3627) or visit www.nebh.org/dedham. I MDNEWS.COM I MD NEWS Greater Boston |9

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