Heading into the season for severe injuries

Geisinger provides only orthopedic trauma program in region

Sept. 21, 2009, DANVILLE – Fall sports are in full swing, motorcycle enthusiasts are taking to the road to enjoy early autumn weather, and farmers are preparing for the fall harvest. These seeming unrelated activities do share one thing in common: the potential for severe injuries.

“We live in an area where devastating injuries from activities such as these can change a person’s life forever,” said orthopedic traumatologist Wade R. Smith, M.D., FACS, vice-chairman, Geisinger Orthopedics. “If the worst happens however, Geisinger has gone to great lengths to ensure that we have a specialized team completely dedicated to patients suffering from these severe musculoskeletal injuries.”

Patients in this category include those who are struggling with multiple injuries, have sustained fractures during a high-energy collision, whose injuries are life-threatening due to pelvis or spinal damage, or those in danger of losing a limb.

“Motorcycle accidents cause extreme injuries, as do farm accidents. During fall sports season, we also see major bone breaks such as to the femur or spine - especially with football players,” noted Dr. Smith. Geisinger is the only facility in the region to provide specialized orthopedic trauma care for cases such as these.

According to Dr. Smith, people need to follow common sense and take precautions to help prevent these injuries.

“While it is beneficial for the area that we have a specialized orthopedic trauma program at Geisinger, the best treatment is prevention,” he said. “Athletes should take advantage of protective equipment, and motorcycle riders are urged to wear helmets and obey traffic laws.”

Geisinger’s multidisciplinary team, including orthopedic traumatologists and specialized nurse coordinators, follow standardized protocols based on proven research to ensure that each critical patient receives the best possible care for their situation. A quality assurance program tracks complications in order to prevent errors and optimize outcomes.

“Our team of experts is available 24/7.  We are committed to excellence in clinical care, research and teaching,” Dr. Smith added. “The proper initial management and subsequent care by a dedicated team can take a terrible situation for a person and give them the best possible chance to live their life again. ”

About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA.) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 740-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.