Celebrating Excellent Care during my recent visit to Beebe Healthcare
"Beebe Healthcare is well known for its orthopaedic surgery program. That is why I had to wait several months to get my appointment for a knee replacement. Having just gone through four days in early January under the care of the Orthopaedic Team for knee and hip surgery, I agree with those who give Beebe a high score for their work in this area," said Wave Starnes, a recent patient at Beebe Healthcare.
"I was moved to the third-floor orthopaedic area shortly after surgery. Even in my groggy state, I began to realize how skilled and thoughtful the nursing aides and nurses were. They made space for my family in the room filled with medical equipment. They checked on me regularly and started the routine of getting me on my feet - which scared me, but wasn't so bad. It seemed the nurses and the therapists had clear goals for me and we got there, slowly but surely.
"There is a whole team of people on duty together for 12 hours; that means there is a briefing with patients each time there is a change of staff. It gave me a chance to remind the nurses in charge of any concerns I had or a solution that seemed to be working.
The night shift helped me continue to get up on my feet and worked in those important physical therapy sessions that would continue several times each day. Dr. Joseph Farrell, my orthopaedic surgeon, stopped in to see me every morning; he was always well briefed on how I was progressing and what my next steps should be.
"Nobody goes through knee surgery without pain. My doctor and the nurses laid out a routine of medicine that kept me comfortable - relatively speaking - while not making me feel like a zombie from overmedication. I trusted their decisions in so many ways. They would say, 'I think you could make it around this corner and up the next hall,' or, 'Why don't you try walking around a little and see if that helps the pain, and if that doesn't work, we will look at the choice of drugs for your pain.'
"I especially remember Jenn Wingate, RN, because she was not only skilled in nursing care, but she gracefully managed more than one call from my lawyer son. He was calling to ask whether I needed to be placed in a rehabilitation facility before returning to my daughter's home.
Tom Pirecki was the nursing aide who had to teach me how to get out of bed - and remind me of the rules each time I sat up. Tom handled many other issues so efficiently as the days went on to my discharge. All of the physical therapists were very personable and helpful. Holly Diehl challenged me to be even better each time she saw me. Dr. Farrell really listened to my concerns each day and was confident I could meet his and my care team's goals.”
Starnes added, "When I had the chance to give a small gift of thanks and appreciation to the Beebe Medical Foundation in honor of the Orthopaedic Knee and Hip Surgery Team, I was eager to do so. I also had the opportunity to come to the hospital and say thanks to four of my caregivers who represented the entire team who serve patients every day."
Beebe Healthcare is a recipient of the Healthgrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award for 10 Years in a Row (2007-16), and is the only recipient in Delaware and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Beebe Healthcare was also named one of Healthgrades' America's 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery in 2016, and among the Top 10 in the Nation for Overall Orthopaedic Services for 10 Years in a Row (2007-16).
"These Healthgrades ratings, based on patient outcomes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have collected, are a credit to everyone involved in caring for orthopaedic patients at Beebe Healthcare," said Jeffrey M. Fried, FACHE, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare. "They reflect the quality of the orthopaedic care that we provide, and of the commitment to our patients by our board members, our physicians, our clinical staff, and all of our employees. Most importantly, these ratings demonstrate to the communities we serve that Beebe is among the very best of all hospitals across the country, and that outstanding orthopaedic care is truly close to their homes."
As a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe continues to depend on the generous support of individuals, corporations, businesses, and private foundations. All gifts, large or small, to Beebe Healthcare, are tax deductible and are channeled through Beebe Medical Foundation. Please consider making a gift today and share your amazing stories with our community. To make your proud personal donation or to learn more about Celebrate Excellent Care, go online to www.beebemedicalfoundation.org or contact the Beebe Medical Foundation at 302-644-2900 or write to foundation@beebehealthcare.org.
