Carilion spent around 15 million dollars to purchase and renovate the property before opening the doors and equipping the new center with the latest in imaging equipment as well. The building features 125 patient rooms and is color-coded by department so that visitors are less likely to get lost.
Dr. Joseph Moskal is head of Orthopedics for Carilion, “It’s going to allow us in real time to treat patients while they are here with all the other specialties that have the ability to influence the patient’s care and need to be involved while the patient is here,” said Moskal. “We can give patients [and] their families the answers they need.”
Moskal said having such a centralized location for orthopedics is something that’s been on his mind “for about 15 years. About six years ago Carilion started to embrace the idea. I think this is a one-of-a kind institution. It’s going to be a phenomenal experience [for patients].”
Dr. Gary Simonds, a neurosurgeon by trade, also spoke at an open house held just before the official opening of the center, which he called “seed and fertile ground to bring about greater and greater collaboration between multiple specialties. Medical has become way too complex for single [disciplines] to figure it all out.”
Having more services related to orthopedics – be it a sports or occupational injury, or some other condition – is ideal, said Simonds. “You really need a group of specialists who can put their components and expertise into the care of a patient.” The key is to make it all work – sharing pictures, diagnoses, comments with someone down the hall, everyone on the same page trying to heal people said Simonds. “You approach the care of a patient very much as a team – you’re not siloed into small groups.”
Simonds said there are pockets where the team approach to medicine is practiced – like at the famed Mayo Clinic – but he notes the silo effect where collaboration is a tougher sell still exists. “[Typically] the care of the patient gets fragmented,” he noted. So the Carilion Institute for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences is still sort of a unique approach at this time. “It’s certainly a concept that a lot of people herald but don’t necessarily follow through with.” The Center is a tangible example of that team approach, said Simonds. “Other places will want to take a look at it.”
Carilion Clinic president and CEP Nancy Agee has long talked about integrating health care services and wellness, and the new Orthopedics Center is aligned with that notion. “The difference with this facility is that it was designed for a team approach to care,” said Agee during the open house. Having orthopedics, neurosurgery, physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation services all under one roof fits that bill.
“Really working together in a team approach to care. That’s a distinction that we’ve been working towards now for the past seven years. It’s pretty exciting to have our physicians develop this facility. Their vision has come alive. I think all of the folks that are going to work here [around 250] are excited about that new way to deliver care.” said Agee.
Gene Maranno