NORTHSTAR NEWS

NorthStar Expands Services to Include Total Joint Replacement

08/17/11

(LUBBOCK) - NorthStar Surgical Center provides patients with another facility of choice with its expansion of services now offering total shoulder, knee and ankle replacement surgeries.

As a same-day surgical center, NorthStar is able to perform the procedures in an out-patient setting, saving both time and money for patients, according to John D. Brock, NorthStar administrator.

"Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are doing more and more cases traditionally found being done in a hospital setting," Brock said. "To offer patients an outpatient procedure (overnight for knees and ankles and same-day for shoulders) that historically required a multiple-day hospital stay is in the best interest of the patient, the payor and the system as a whole. This is also consistent with our mission of providing unparalleled medical expertise and cost-effective care."

NorthStar also is focused on educating the public about replacement surgery and answering questions in an open forum.

A free seminar on ankle health - and ultimately ankle replacement surgery - is slated for 6 p.m. September 8 at NorthStar, located at 4640 North Loop 289. Registration is required by calling (806) 797-9762.

"As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, we're continuing to find new and better ways to offer the most advanced medical techniques while keeping cost at a minimum," said Kenneth Stephenson, M.D., NorthStar partner and orthopedic surgeon who will be one of three presenters at September's Ankle Health seminar. "I'm excited about this venture into total joint replacement for our patients at NorthStar, as I know they'll find the experience to be less stressful, less expensive overall; and more comfortable to recover in their own homes as opposed to a lengthy hospital stay."

Other presenters at the seminar include orthopedic Drs. Mark Scioli and J. Speight Grimes.

NorthStar Surgical Center is physician-owned by 35 area partners. The ASC offers services ranging from pain management to orthopedics and from cosmetic and plastic surgery to ophthalmology; gynecology; urology; gastroenterology; general surgery; ear, nose and throat, as well as podiatry.

For more information about NorthStar, please visit their website at www.northstarsurgicalcenter.com or follow them on Twitter @nstarexperience.

Contact: Kim Davis
(806) 544-4255