Current News > May 18th, 2006: First orthopaedic procedures performed at KDH
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
May 18, 2006
First orthopaedic procedures performed at KDH
May 18, 2006 marked a milestone for Kemptville District Hospital as the first orthopaedic surgery procedures were performed on site.
Five arthroscopic procedures were performed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Mark Charles. Dr. Charles recently joined a growing team of surgeons coming to Kemptville since the hospital’s operating room reopened last summer.
Bob Dowd of Stittsville, the first patient, commented that his treatment by KDH staff was “just fantastic.” Four other arthroscopic procedures were carried out by Dr. Charles and the hospital O.R. team the same day. Arthroscopic surgery on the knee involves inserting a small camera, less than one quarter inch in diameter, into the knee joint through a small incision. The camera is attached to a video monitor which the surgeon uses to see inside the knee. Arthroscopy is generally recommended for knee problems including mild arthritis, loose cartilage in the knee joint, damage ligaments, or misalignment of the knee cap.
“I was very pleased with the way things went today at Kemptville District Hospital,” said Dr. Charles. “We got through several arthroscopic cases and I look forward to returning in the next few weeks.”
Kemptville District Hospital offers 24-hour emergency services. Mr. Goodfellow noted that the number of emergency cases coming to the hospital has increased steadily, with 15,500 cases expected this year. “Our capacity to keep pace will be greatly enhanced once the new building is in place,” he said.
“The day proved to be a great success and our patients were very satisfied as they were going home,” said Julie Summers, Day Surgery and Outpatient Clinic Team Leader. With two other orthopaedic surgeons scheduled to come to Kemptville on a regular basis, these procedures will be offered at KDH one to two days a week, she added.
The hospital has been working to inform local residents about the availability of its day surgery program, since many primary care physicians are looking for a place to refer their patients for both screening procedures and surgical treatments.
The team of surgeons at KDH currently includes Dr. Charles; fellow orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Geoffrey Dervin and Dr. Douglas Ritter; general surgeons Dr. James Blakslee and Dr. Ronald Monaghan; obstetrician/gynaecologist Dr. Griff Jones; anaesthetists Dr. David Jones and Dr. Tim O’Connor; and internists Dr. Lawrence Schnurr and Dr. Janet MacLean. Also assisting with surgery at KDH are Dr. Emily Conway and Dr. C. Chenard.
The KDH Foundation is currently appealing to donors for support to help with the purchase of essential operating room equipment. For more information or to donate online, go to the Foundation page at www.kdh.on.ca.
Stittsville resident Bob Dowd, left, recovers after the first orthopaedic surgery procedure
performed at Kemptville District Hospital May 18 by Dr. Mark Charles, right.
For more information contact:
Colin Goodfellow, CEO, at 258-6133, ext. 132