Lee Memorial Hospital Leads Way in Quality Orthopedic Care

Many patients facing orthopedic surgery or spinal procedures have questions about the quality and safety of their care. Selecting the right hospital and surgeon is crucial, but how can patients feel confident about their choice? 

The DNV Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence Designation is a great place to start.

If your hospital or surgery center has earned this prestigious distinction, you’ll know you’ve made the right choice. You won’t have to look far, though. At Lee Memorial Hospital, Lee Physician Group Orthopedics program is only one of two hospital or surgery centers in Florida to receive the distinction for elective orthopedic procedures.

What’s more, the hospital’s orthopedic program is the only one accredited in knee, hip, shoulder, spine, ankle and foot specialties by DNV in the state.

“The DNV certification evaluates hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers on their ability to deliver excellent spine and orthopedic care,” says Lori Laczynski, RN, Director of Inpatient Orthopedics with Lee Memorial Hospital. “Certified facilities like ours must meet strict criteria in areas such as infection prevention, medication safety, staff training, patient education, and more.

“For patients, it means the orthopedic care they get here is effective, safe and, ultimately, the best available,” she adds. “And it’s not just a one-off recognition, either. We reaffirm our program's commitment to clinical excellence by continual improvement. We’re not resting on our laurels.”

What are Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence Designations?

The Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence designations are obtained by achieving certification in at least three orthopedic service line programs. The requirements set forth by DNV are based on the guidelines, recommendations and practices recognized by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Advanced orthopedic service lines 

The DNV advanced orthopedic service line programs include Foot & Ankle Surgery Certification, Hip & Knee Replacement Certification, Shoulder Surgery Certification and Spine Surgery Certification.

Joe Trapanese, MBA, orthopedic navigator with Lee Health, says that while no certification can guarantee perfect outcomes, the DNV program rigorously evaluates important facets of care that impact safety, the surgical experience, and recovery. Certification is intended to reduce risks and improve surgical outcomes.

“We participated voluntarily in the DNV’s accreditation program,” Joe says. “That meant collecting data on quality measures such as infection rates, readmission rates, length of stay, and patient satisfaction. We had to show superior performance compared to national benchmarks.”

How DNV orthopedic certification benefits you

The DNV Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Certification means patients at Lee Memorial Hospital will find excellent orthopedic care advantages such as:

1. Expertise in orthopedics. DNV certification reflects specialized expertise in orthopedic and spine care. Patients can trust the hospital's experience with hip, knee, shoulder, and spinal procedures. 

2. Latest technology and techniques. DNV standards require advanced diagnostic equipment, minimally invasive surgical options, and innovative pain management approaches. Facilities must stay up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques.

3. Enhanced safety. Rigorous DNV infection control standards help prevent surgical site infections. Strict medication guidelines reduce errors. Thorough emergency drills ensure staff readiness.

4. Better outcomes. With DNV certification, key quality metrics like low readmission rates, timely pain control, and quick recovery must be measured and publicly reported. “This focus on outcomes benefits patients,” Joe says. “It’s consistency of a superior patient experience. That’s our goal.” 

5. Ongoing monitoring and improvement. Even after earning certification, DNV requires Lee Health’s orthopedic program to continually monitor its outcomes data and look for opportunities to improve. The hospital must undergo recertification every three years. “This helps drive quality improvement over time,” Lori says. “The program keeps getting better.”

Lee Health Orthopedics   

Lee Health's orthopedic specialists and surgeons incorporate national best practices and personalized care to help you during all phases of treatment and recovery.

Call 239-343-9696 for more information or to make an appointment.

Find an orthopedic specialist or surgeon now 

Lee Health Pediatric Orthopedic Services

Our orthopedic specialists work with children and families to employ the best therapy, rehabilitation services, surgery, and other treatments.

We specialize in areas and more:

• Pediatric and adolescent spine abnormalities
• Limb deformity and limb length problems
• Congenital and acquired hand and foot disorders
• Pediatric and adolescent hip disorders
• Complex post-traumatic fraction problems
• Musculoskeletal infections and tumors
• Bone and joint treatment
• Sports medicine

For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-343-5437. 

Pediatric Spine Program

Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida has joined forces with Pediatric Orthopedics of SWFL to expand pediatric spine services in Southwest Florida. 

The pediatric spine program offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic testing and treatment plans for patients suffering from back and neck pain. Learn more here.