Solution Management of Hip Diseases: The Continuum of Care Concept
Smith & Nephew’s unique approach to treating the progression of disease
It is not true that time heals all wounds. It is the passing of time combined with the erosive nature of a disease or injury that result in painful and life-altering outcomes.
Until recently, medical treatment options for orthopedic diseases, disorders and injuries were less likely to look at a patients’ problem in relation to the passing of time.
Smith & Nephew’s unique approach to treating the progression of disease
It is not true that time heals all wounds. It is the passing of time combined with the erosive nature of a disease or injury that result in painful and life-altering outcomes.
Until recently, medical treatment options for orthopedic diseases, disorders and injuries were less likely to look at a patients’ problem in relation to the passing of time.
Smith & Nephew, an industry leader in the development of advanced medical devices, is endeavoring to change this way of thinking and are calling their approach the Continuum of Care. Patients stand to benefit from the increased focus on progression of disease and surgeons will gain from increased educational support.
Carsten Peters, Marketing Director at Smith & Nephew, explained the concept with an example. “For every patient there is a specific treatment solution that takes into account their age, level of activity and progression of disease. A young patient who does not immediately need a hip replacement would benefit from an early intervention treatment solution such as fluid management.”
“We want to facilitate the building of a sustainable relationship between surgeons and their patients,” Peters said. Supporting surgeons with the instruments and knowledge needed to provide exceptional and high-quality care throughout the evolution of their careers is a key Continuum of Care element.
“Through KLEOS, our global medical education division, we aim to train, educate and partner with surgeons so they have the skills and tools to manage early interventions through to revisions.”
Increased communication and collaboration amongst the company’s business units has enabled the integration of Smith & Nephew’s broad offering of products and services. They currently offer products for not only osteoarthritis from early intervention through primary joint replacements to revisions, but also in the field of injuries to knee, hip, shoulder and overall bone and skin repair.
Peters commented that, “We are combining these specialty areas to offer broad treatment solutions appropriate for use throughout the disease and healing timeline.”