Orthopedic and Sports Institute.com - Orthopedic & Sports Institute of the Fox Valley's Recovery Inn set for August unveiling in Appleton

	For more information contact: Sandy Wight Marketing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 920.560.1188
For Immediate Release ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS INSTITUTE OF THE FOX VALLEY'S RECOVERY INN SET FOR AUGUST UNVEILING IN APPLETON

Appleton, Wis. (April 12, 2010) — Patients having hip or knee replacements typically stay in a hospital for several days or are transferred to a nursing home while they recover after surgery.
The Orthopedic & Sports Institute of the Fox Valley's surgery center, for example, to date has sent many of its joint replacement patients to recuperate at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna, a skilled nursing care facility with a rehabilitation unit. But its patients will have a new option this August that is steps rather than miles away.Recovery Inn is a new $3.8 million rehab facility under construction that's attached to OSI, 2105 E.Enterprise Ave. in Appleton. It's the very visible new building taking shape at the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Ballard Road. Inside, it will resemble an upscale hotel with amenities in its 12 private rooms that include soothing lighting and colors,laptops, wireless Internet access, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD players and made-to-order meals. "The Recovery Inn will allow us to care for a wider group of patients who will benefit from a cost-effective, quality, upscale service environment," said Curt Kubiak, OSI's executive director. Some of those who balked at being moved to a nursing facility in Kaukauna shortly after surgery will have the option of being wheeled down the hall instead. It's also convenient for OSI's surgeons, who will be steps away from their patients. "Our patients can have surgery here or elsewhere, then go to the Recovery Inn. Our surgeons make the rounds right here," said Sandy Wight, OSI's marketing executive. "Issues can be dealt with on site." The new recovery facility is financed by the seven surgeons and one anesthesiologist who co-own OSI and have their practices in the building. In a special arrangement, the Recovery Inn will be leased and staffed by St. Paul Elder Services, the licensee operator. "This is a new venture for St. Paul," said Jim Fett, president of St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna. "We have not done this before and we're excited about it. It's a neat opportunity. Our board is very excited to have a presence in Appleton." St. Paul is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc. Last year, the Kaukauna facility had 386 admissions in its 17 rehabilitation rooms. The new facility in Appleton gives St. Paul's a new perspective on the patient care experience. "Our focus is to have it more like a hotel with its amenities," he said. "We are now adapting some of those amenities, like flat-screen TVs and refrigerators, to our Kaukauna facility." The Appleton building also will include a small cafe that can be used by visitors and staff, and a kitchen for meal preparation. "A lot of patients want to know when this will be open. I have one patient who has been waiting for this to be complete," said Dr. Brian Lohrbach, an orthopedic surgeon. "She'll be my first knee replacement patient to go into the new building." That patient, Nora Holzwart, rearranged several business trips to have her surgery right when the facility opens. It's her second knee replacement — the first was done in a hospital — and she decided to wait for the recovery center to get it done. "It sure sounds like it's worth the wait. I'm looking forward to the pampering," she said. "I thought this sounded a lot better than the hospital. It's less expensive, which should make my insurance company happy." While rates and out-of-pocket costs, if any, would be dependent on an individual's insurance plan, skilled nursing facility rates are in general lower than those in a hospital. St. Paul's is in the process of establishing contracts with most major insurance plans and Medicare. "I believe our entire process is going to save a lot of money for a lot of people," said Dr. David Eggert, one of the orthopedic surgeons who own OSI. "Recovery Inn is by definition a nursing home that looks like a hotel. Nursing home rates are less than the daily rate of a hospital." Eggert said they are focusing cost containment in the entire process. "Recovery Inn is just a part of it," he said. "We can control costs from when we first see the patient, get an MRI scan, operate on them and then have them stay here." Maureen Wallenfang: 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Orthopedic & Sports Institute • 2105 E. Enterprise Avenue • Appleton, WI • www.osifv.com