EMBARGOED FOR Sept. 5, 2008

Emory Announces Opening of Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital

Hospital will serve as a model for health care innovation, incorporating patient- and family-centered care

ATLANTA – Fulfilling its mission to meet the increasing demand for orthopaedics and spine care, Emory Healthcare today announced the opening of the Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital. The hospital, an extension of Emory’s acute care hospital on Clifton Road, will open Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Located at the intersection of Lawrenceville Highway and I-285 in Tucker, Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital was created to provide high-quality care in the delivery of general acute care services while primarily focused on a specific service line. Emory purchased an existing hospital facility in January 2007, and has now completely renovated it to provide patients with access to the most advanced, sophisticated technology in a patient- and family-friendly environment.

"Emory continues to uphold a promise and commitment to our patients—to provide a quality experience defined by impeccable clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient service," says Fred Sanfilippo, MD, PhD, executive vice president for health affairs at Emory University and chairman of Emory Healthcare.

"This hospital will combine exceptional service with pioneering vision, education, teaching and ideas, and Emory will apply its strategic vision to ensure that we are serving the needs of our patients and their families. This new facility underscores that commitment and vision."

In addition, Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital is implementing an innovative nursing model where caregivers partner with patients and their families to collaborate on decisions and care. By primarily concentrating orthopaedic surgical services at one location, Emory physicians and staff will be able to focus on the unique needs of the orthopaedic patient population, which translates to quick recovery times, increased safety and greater patient satisfaction.

"The creation and opening of Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital is an important achievement for Emory Healthcare on behalf of the communities and patients we serve," says John T. Fox, CEO of Emory Healthcare. “Starting from a blank sheet of paper and seeking patient input, we were able to establish a clear vision of the best structure and culture for the new facility, and we worked tirelessly to bring our patients the care they deserve.

"Additionally, and perhaps even more exciting, Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital will embody the collaborative and innovative culture-of-care elements that will help set the future course of patient care across the country, including patient- and family-centered care, shared decision making, a fair and just culture, transparency, and cultural competency and diversity," says Fox. "These attributes are embedded in our decision-making process and, more important, are evident in our provision of care."

In addition to offering orthopaedics and spine services in a focused capacity, Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital will also continue to offer general acute care services for patients with non-surgical needs. A team of Emory University Hospital-based physicians will treat a wide variety of non-critical patient medical conditions, while providing a seamless link to all other specialists located at other Emory hospitals.

"This innovative combination gives patients the benefits of a higher level of care with all the attributes of a major university medical center—research, technology and sub-specialists," says Scott Boden, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center.

"This type of facility is proven to have better outcomes because all physicians and staff are focused on one type of patient problem," says Boden. "By concentrating the orthopaedic surgical services at this location, we will gain a special opportunity to create standardized processes whereby all our physicians and staff are focused on the unique needs of the orthopaedic and spine surgery patient population."

Dr. James R. Roberson, chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and professor of orthopaedic surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, says, "The carefully selected faculty members of Emory's Department of Orthopaedics are some of the most talented and skilled medical professionals in the country and around the globe. These specialists work in tandem with physicians throughout Emory's network to collaborate on diagnosis and treatment of our patients, as well as mentor future orthopaedists and orthopaedic surgeons."

Facts about Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital: This facility is an extension of Emory University Hospital and is staffed exclusively by Emory physicians. It is six stories tall and has 208,000 square feet of space, which includes a medical office building.

It provides complete MRI and radiology capabilities as well as on-site inpatient and outpatient physical therapy. Furnishings and furniture in the new facility are customized for total joint and spine patients, and there are newly appointed private suites (most private suites have a pullout bed for family members).

The facility has a dedicated orthopaedics and spine patient floor, as well as general medicine services. Because visiting hours are unrestricted, families can stay with patients all of the time. A restaurant and in-room dining are available 7 am-7 pm.

There will be no emergency room located at Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital. All emergency and trauma traffic will be diverted to the nearest appropriate facility.

Facts about the Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center: This state-of-the-art outpatient facility, located at Executive Park, offers a comprehensive approach to all musculoskeletal problems. The Center has reinvented orthopaedic and spine care by bringing all aspects of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation together in one location.

More than 40 specialists work together under one roof [95,000 square feet] to provide the full range of outpatient orthopaedic, spine, neurosurgery, sports medicine and physical therapy care. The Center at Executive Park is about 7 miles from Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital.

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