From 1991 to August, 2007, I practiced as a member of Manchester Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in Manchester, CT. On August 20, 2007, I open my new practice, The Connecticut Center for Orthopedic Surgery, LLC.
I am very proud of my association with my former partners and continue to maintain a great relationship with them. Practices that split up often degenerate into a messy legal fight over assets and patients. I credit my former partners with fostering a friendly and professional evolution of our practices. We continue to refer patients to each other even though my new office is right across the street from the old one.
I continue to hold them in high regard and consider them two of the finest individuals and best orthopedic surgeons I have had the opportunity to know.
Anyway…
When I moved to start my own practice at The Connecticut Center for Orthopedic Surgery, I knew that it would be a representation of me and the kind of practice I could create on my own. Although I am on the active staff of both Hartford Hospital and ECHN Hospital (Manchester Memorial Hospital), I do not work for nor am I employed by any hospital system. In the Wethersfield office, I am in the Hartford Hospital Health care building on the Silas Deane Highway.
It took me 16 years to figure out what I wanted in an office. Because I spend so much time there, I wanted the office to be someplace of which I could be proud and a place I would not mind spending lots of time. I wanted the office to have a “wow factor” for patients. It had to be functional, modern, high tech and it should not seem like a doctor’s office. It should be warm and soothing for patients and a place my staff would enjoy working. I gave considerable thought to the materials and design. Although I had help with some of the specifics and selections, I would like to think it it a great representation of what I was trying to achieve.
The outside of the building was designed by the builder.
Once inside the office, you can see the attention I put into the experience of the “office visit”. No one really wants to go to the doctor. If I can make the experience a bit more pleasant and soothing, patients can focus on themselves and their problems.
Just inside the front door…
Our reception area and the check in desk…
The main hallway…
Notice the glass door on the left. It’s frosted so you can’t see through it. The ceiling is definitely one of the best features of the office design.
We have 6 exam rooms…
Each exam room is open and spacious.
In one of the rooms, we have a power exam table that raises and lowers for patients who cannot step up onto a regular exam table.
The sink faucets in the exam rooms and hallway have infrared activation switches. Very cool!
When I selected the x-ray system, I recognized that one of the biggest delays in an office visit is the trip to x-ray. Below is the latest digital x-ray machine. No old fashioned films are produced. No x-ray cassettes required. Images can be provided to patients on paper or CD. These digital images a superior to standard film x-rays in every way.
The image is taken by the C-arm below. The image goes directly to our computer system where it can be modified. The image contrast can be adjusted or the image can be magnified. Specific bone and joint angles can be measured digitally. The amount of displacement of a specific fracture fragment can be measured to a tenth of a millimeter.
All of this technology allows me to compare patient x-rays from one week to the next and measure limb alignment and joint damage from arthritis.
The above x-ray C-arm takes the images which are then sent to the high resolution computer monitors outside of my office seen below.
Here is the checkout desk…
Patients scheduling tests or surgery can do so in a more private area.
Below is my office. A work still in progress…
Physical therapy is available in the practice. We gave considerable thought to the PT space design as well. It is open and spacious. There is also a private room for evaluations or treatments if necessary.
The treadmill is the newest addition to the PT facility.
The office is only part of the reason that I believe we have the best orthopedic office in the area. Our staff has considerable experience in caring for complicated orthopedic patients. They are totally dedicated to to serving our patients. I know that each one takes great personal pride in their job and taking care of our patients.
A beautiful office would not make any difference if I and my staff did not also provide the finest orthopedic care to our patients. I will take an opportunity to brag about my team at The Connecticut Center for Orthopedic Surgery in a future posting. They just have to sit still long enough for me to take some pictures. Needless to say, I am very proud of them and the job they do.
(Note to the CCOS staff: No, this does not mean you can all ask for a raise!)
Thanks.
JTM, MD