WellSpan has launched a comprehensive spine program in Lancaster County, to help people with neck and back pain to receive the right care at the right time.
The new program includes:
- The WellSpan Spine Care practice, where a patient will receive spine evaluations and be directed to the appropriate treatment.
- A Spine Surgery Program at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, which provides specially designed care for those who need surgery.
WellSpan developed the spine program to make the care process easy on patients or referring providers, who may be unsure of which type of care is needed, and to provide a full range of care.
WellSpan Spine Care offers a nurse navigator, who determines the next steps of care for the patient and sets up an appointment with the appropriate member of a comprehensive spine care team. The team includes the practice’s nurse practitioner, who specializes in the evaluation and management of neck and back pain. Other members of the team include a physical therapist, an interventional pain physician and a spine surgeon.
“Patients receive care that is targeted to their needs,” said Zenaida Kutz, certified registered nurse practitioner at WellSpan Spine Care. “We offer them the right care at the right time.”
Like WellSpan Spine Care, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital’s new Spine Surgery Program offers coordinated, individualized treatment following surgical spine procedures such as decompression surgery, fusion surgery, disc surgery, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty.
Patients stay in a Spine Unit and are cared for by a dedicated nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy staff.
The program has a “culture of wellness.” Patients are encouraged to wear their own clothing, rather than a hospital gown. They also are encouraged to get out of bed several hours after surgery and follow a checklist of goals, including bathing or dressing themselves, walking on stairs and doing other movement.
Education and preparation are key components, with pre-op classes and a patient guidebook. Family and friends also are encouraged to be involved as coaches for patients.
“Our goals for the program are consistent with our overall approach to care, which is to offer exceptional patient experience and superior clinical outcomes,” said Roxanne Kintzer, joint and spine care coordinator at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.
Patients can seek help at WellSpan Spine Care, 4150 Barrett Boulevard, Ephrata, at 717-466-2505.
About WellSpan Health
WellSpan Health is an integrated health system that serves the communities of central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. The organization is comprised of approximately 1,500 employed physicians and advanced practice clinicians, a regional behavioral health organization, a home care organization, eight respected hospitals, more than 19,000 employees, and more than 170 patient care locations. WellSpan is a charitable, mission-driven organization, committed to exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness and healthy communities.
Media contact: Cindy Stauffer, 717-733-6203 or cstauffer5@wellspan.org