MDNews - Central New York

Expanding for Improved Care TO BE T TER SERV E patients northwest of the city, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) recently opened a clinic on Oswego Road in Liverpool. This site is divided into a bustling orthopedic medical office and a physical therapy clinic. Sharing a roof facilitates close collaboration between specialists and makes scheduling easier for patients. Upstairs, a family medicine group, Family Practice Associates, also benefits from easy scheduling for patients it refers to SOS physicians. "We consolidated three offices into one, creating a large, more modern office in one of New York's fastest-growing communities," says Brad Raphael, MD. "The number one advantage is communication. When my patients see me in the office and do PT in the same building, the therapists can just walk across the hall to ask questions or collaborate on care. Therapists may stop by four or five times a day to discuss patients' progress, and I can walk across the hall to see how patients are progressing during therapy. Patient care is a true collaborative process here." The building also features state-of-the art equipment in a sleek, patient-friendly setting, says Dr. Raphael, who serves as team physician for athletes from two nearby high schools. "From individual room tempera- ture controls to green efficiency and brand-new equipment, it's a technologically superior building," he says. "We have digital X-ray, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injection capabilities on-site." Stacy Griffith, PT, works with a patient on a stationary bike. Griffith oversees a patient's progress. on the metaphor of music to explain his thoughts on the shift away from a general orthopedics-based practice. "I think of orthopedic practice as an orchestra," he says. "You can't be a master flute player and also a master percussion- ist. Generally, you have to concentrate on one instrument. W hen we a ll play together, it's a wonderful sound, and there aren't a lot of one-man bands around." This symphonic harmony is a trend that Frederick Lemley, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at SOS, believes will continue. "Specialization is ultimately good for patients and improves surgical quality," Dr. Lemley says. "The more you do some- thing, the better you get at it." Todd Battaglia, MD, MS, Director of the Sports Medicine Department at SOS and head team orthopedist for Syracuse University Football, began his career in the early phases of this dramatic shift, and he foresees even more precise specializa- tion as the discipline evolves. "I completed my training 12 years ago with two fellowships, one in research and science and the other in sports medicine a nd a r throscopic shoulder a nd knee surgery," Dr. Battaglia says. "Today, the greater part of my practice focuses on sports injuries and reconstruction of com- plex problems of the shoulder and knee. We can all manage the care of patients with basic fractures, but 90 percent of my practice, for instance, fa lls under t he heading of spor ts medicine a nd arthroscopic surgery. "I suspect, as our knowledge base and the complexity of the procedures we can provide increase — especially when you factor in technological advances — the industry will become even more sub- specialized," he continues. "We recently started o-ering a subspecialty board for sports medicine, for instance. I wouldn't be surprised to soon see a specific certifica- tion for spine surgery or joint replacement. Education and best-practice-based spe- cialization are something we embrace here at SOS." ORTHOPEDICS WITHOUT WALLS SOS's widespread clinic footprint has led the practice to describe itself as "centers without walls." For added accessibility, SOS offers multiple specia lties, a longside general orthopedics, at many locations, uniting the expertise of specialty care with conveniently located o…ces. Patients from DeWitt to Clay can find offices in their neighborhoods with experts in: + Foot and ankle + Hand and wrist + Joint replacement + Orthopedic and sports therapy + Neck and spine + Sports medicine "We want to fulfill all patients' ortho- pedic needs under one roof without them having to visit di-erent o…ces," says Brad Raphael, MD, a sports medicine specialist at SOS who is also a team orthopedist for Syracuse University, referring to the new clinic in Liverpool as an example. "It's more e…cient, saves time and allows for a better, quicker experience for the patient, while also improving care and outcomes." For pat ient s , t h at mea n s a more seamless experience and less frustra- tion, because they start care with the appropriate specialist and have access to additional support as needed. From initial evaluation to diagnostic testing, physical therapy and surgery, each department oversees the overall progression of its own patients. Some o-er special services, such as the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Department for splints and braces, or the M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 018 0 7

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