Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/21/2020 -- SwiftPath surgeon Andrew Wickline, MD, of Genesee Orthopedics in New Hartford, New York, has published two peer-reviewed studies showing that patients who underwent surgery for total knee replacement or total hip replacement using the SwiftPath/surgeon authored protocols required significantly less opioid medication for pain management than traditional joint replacement surgeries generally require, reports Craig McAllister, MD, president and chief medical officer of SwiftPath Program LLC. SwiftPath develops evidence-based rapid recovery protocols that enable surgeons to provide hip and knee replacements with same day discharge in an outpatient setting or early discharge in a hospital setting.

Study Results

"We have conclusively shown that loads of opiates are unnecessary after total knee or total hip replacement," Dr. Wickline says. "Published data indicate there is an 8-14 percent risk of patients becoming chronically addicted after being prescribed opioids. Reducing or eliminating the use of opioids for pain management is in the patient's best interest and speeds recovery."

In the study of 207 patients who had total hip replacements, Dr. Wickline reported the average number of opioid pills taken to control pain was only 3.5 tablets over a six-week period. For 386 patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery, Dr. Wickline reported that 86 percent took 10 or less opioid pills over a 12-week period, with 19 percent of the study group taking no opioids.

In both groups, more than 90 percent of patients were discharged on the same day or the first postoperative day of surgery. With respect to formal physical therapy, 85 percent of the knee replacement patients and 95 percent of hip replacement patients did not require physical therapy but did do exercises at home as directed by Dr. Wickline.

Impact of the SwiftPath Method

Dr. Wickline attributes his success in reducing the use of opioids to using the SwiftPath Method, which includes patient education and management of patient-related risks prior to surgery; multimodal pain management that includes joint injections to control pain and minimize the need for narcotics; and his therapy-free approach that accelerates recovery and allows patients to recover at home.

"Patient engagement is the real cornerstone of SwiftPath. Helping patients to understand what they need to do and to believe their cooperation is paramount to the success of their surgery is critical," Dr. Wickline says. For each patient, he creates a "Patient Guide," a plan that serves as a roadmap for the pathway to recovery. This book guides the patient—and every member of the care team—through every step, from initial assessment to the day of surgery and beyond through recovery. And that results in a consistency that minimizes problems, according to Dr. Wickline.

Dr. Wickline's Background

Dr. Wickline has performed more than 20,000 total joint replacements in his career and is one of the highest volume surgeons in New York, performing more than 700 joint replacements annually. While the national average for readmission after joint replacement surgery is 4.4 percent, Dr. Wickline's average is 1.2 percent.

He was the founder of the total joint replacement program at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, New York and initiated the implementation of the Accelerated Outpatient Recovery System at both St. Elizabeth and the Apex Surgery Center. A fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Dr. Wickline enjoys sharing his knowledge and teaches outpatient joint replacement techniques in the U.S. and India.

"Dr. Wickline is always striving to take his practice to the next level," says Dr. McAllister. "He's always looking for ways to minimize disruption to his patients and improve outcomes. His dedication to his patients is an inspiration to all of us in the SwiftPath community."

Dr. Wickline has been nominated to receive CNY Business Journal's Excellence in Surgery award at the annual Excellence in Healthcare awards on Oct. 22.

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

About Dr. Andrew Wickline
As a SwiftPath surgeon, Dr. Wickline (http://andrewwicklinemd.com) is at the cutting edge of joint replacement excellence. SwiftPath changes the existing paradigm with state-of-the-art methods to improve outcomes, reduce complications, reduce the need for narcotics, and quickly return patients to a more mobile life.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/04/2020 -- MSA Orthopedics in Albany, Ga. will use the SwiftPath Care Management Method when performing knee and hip joint replacements in an outpatient setting.

With industry analysts forecasting significant increases in outpatient joint replacement and medical organizations pushing to achieve higher quality care at a lower cost with greater patient satisfaction, forward-thinking orthopedic organizations like MSA Ortho are re-evaluating how best to deliver their services—and many are choosing to offer total joint replacement as an outpatient procedure, according to Craig McAllister, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer of SwiftPath Program LLC. Established in 2014, SwiftPath is a nationally recognized leader in the development of evidenced-based, rapid recovery protocols that enable surgeons to provide hip and knee replacements with same-day discharge in an outpatient setting.

MSA Ortho takes pride in being a patient-centered practice; SwiftPath is a patient-centric solution developed by surgeons. SwiftPath's focus on patient engagement and shared-decision making was a key factor in MSA Ortho's decision to adopt the SwiftPath Method, according to Mike Yelverton, Administrator. "At Team MSA, our patients are not statistics. They are individuals—the most important part of our business. We take a comprehensive approach to orthopedic care, with the patient always at the center of every treatment plan," Yelverton says.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeons Michael A. Davis, MD and T. Scott McGee, MD will perform outpatient joint replacement at MSA Ortho's Surgery Center. Both are highly accomplished professionals with a passion for orthopedics and a knack for leadership.

Prior to joining MSA Ortho, Dr. Davis was chief resident for five years at Georgia Regents University and also has a research and technical background in environmental engineering, chemistry and microbiology. His specialties include joint replacement and sports medicine. "SwiftPath allows us to provide customized, highly effective patient care based on established treatment protocols founded in scientific research with proven results," Dr. Davis says.

Dr. McGee is a former Airborne, scuba-qualified Army Ranger and combat orthopedic surgeon who received multiple distinguished military honors. His focus at MSA Ortho is sports medicine and both surgical and non-surgical orthopedics, including joint replacement. According to Dr. McGee, SwiftPath is a comprehensive program of consensus driven protocols that provides surgeons with a road map from beginning to end—but one that can be tailored to each surgeon's specific practice.

Although fairly new to MSA Ortho, Dr. McGee has been using the SwiftPath Method for several years with much success. On average, Dr. McGee's patients are able to return to normal activity after surgery in 5.4 weeks (the national average is about 10 weeks) and 100 percent of his SwiftPath joint replacement patients report they are likely to refer prospective patients to him.

"We are pleased to welcome MSA Ortho to the SwiftPath family of surgeons," says Dr. McAllister. "Dr. Davis and Dr. McGee are both committed to working towards advances in the field of orthopedics and their observations and input will help us continue to refine the SwiftPath Program."

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

About Musculoskeletal Associates (MSA Ortho)
MSA Ortho (https://www.msortho.com) takes a comprehensive approach to orthopedic care, creating plans that initiate the right therapies in a coordinated sequence for the most effective treatments possible for each patient.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Will Focus on Outpatient Joint Replacement Surgery

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/13/2019 -- SwiftPath Program, LLC is pleased to confirm that Co-founder Craig McAllister, MD has joined The Everett Clinic, part of Optum, as Medical Director of Total Joint Replacement.

Dr. McAllister, a nationally recognized expert in outpatient joint replacement and a pioneer in the development of rapid recovery protocols for both inpatient and outpatient surgery, will continue to maintain a clinical practice that focuses exclusively on hip and knee surgery.

"Additionally, Dr. McAllister continues to serve as SwiftPath Program's President and Chief Medical Officer," says Ira Kirschenbaum, MD, SwiftPath Co-founder and Chief Medical Information Officer. Established in 2014, SwiftPath is a nationally recognized leader in the development of evidenced-based, rapid recovery protocols that enable surgeons to provide hip and knee replacements with same-day discharge in an outpatient setting. "Outpatient joint replacement is going mainstream and we at SwiftPath continue to lead that transition by setting the standards; providing the training; implementing scalable protocols and methodology; and creating the necessary technical platforms," Dr. Kirschenbaum says. To that end, Dr. McAllister plans to explore options for establishing a fellowship program in the future to train surgeons in the innovative techniques used for outpatient and inpatient rapid recovery joint replacement.

Of his new relationship with The Everett Clinic, Dr. McAllister states, "It's a sign of the times and reflects the growing importance of outpatient joint replacement surgery in today's health system." As Medical Director of Total Joint Replacement, Dr. McAllister will help The Everett Clinic launch a new outpatient surgery option for joint replacement.

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/23/2018 -- SwiftPath Certified® Ambulatory Joint Replacement Centers of Excellence (AJRCs) represent the next innovation in joint replacement care, according to Craig McAllister, MD, President and chief medical officer of the SwiftPath Program.

The SwiftPath Method enables safe and reliable outpatient hip and knee replacements, many of which are done in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the country, according to Dr. McAllister. In the SwiftPath Program, ASCs that adopt and adhere to the rigorous Standards of Excellence developed by SwiftPath will be certified by the SwiftPath Program and will be eligible to be identified as SwiftPath Certified® AJRCs.

"Outpatient joint replacement surgery can be quite successful and rewarding for patients, providers, facilities, and payers. However, some ASCs are simply not prepared or equipped for the special needs and considerations for these major surgeries," says Dr. McAllister.

As outpatient joint replacement goes mainstream, new standards and accountability are required. "ASCs performing joint replacement surgeries should meet certain Standards of Excellence that are evidenced-based and have been vetted by joint replacement experts from across the country," Dr. McAllister explains. SwiftPath Certified® AJRCs standards address implant management, staff training, facilities, infection prevention, patient education, pain management, blood preservation, and other issues of specific relevance to outpatient joint replacement surgery.

SwiftPath Certified® AJRCs will be facilities that are built for and focused on joint replacement and will serve as the gold standard for innovation in the delivery of joint replacement care. "Facility staff, patients and surgeons will all be focused on the joint replacement episode of care—in lockstep from end-to-end," Dr. McAllister says, "enabling considerable improvements in outcomes, patient satisfaction, and costs."

The first ASC in the nation to be designated a SwiftPath Certified® AJRC is Proliance Eastside Surgery Center in Kirkland, Washington (owned and operated by Proliance Surgeons). Its affiliated surgeons have completed more than 400 hip and knee replacements using the SwiftPath Method. "The mission of Proliance Surgeons is to be the leader in physician-managed healthcare services, and to provide excellent surgical and clinical care for every patient, every day," says Charles Peterson II, MD, President of Proliance.  "Programs like SwiftPath are a critical tool in helping us fulfill that mission."

"We are honored to be SwiftPath Program's first SwiftPath Certified® Ambulatory Joint Replacement Center of Excellence," says Kristen Butterfield, RN, CASC, Director of Proliance Eastside Surgery Center. Butterfield led the center's adoption and implementation of the rigorous physical and operational standards and protocols for outpatient and enhanced-recovery joint replacement surgeries required for the SwiftPath Certified® designation.

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement. 

About Proliance
Proliance Surgeons (http://www.proliancesurgeons.com) is one of the largest surgical practices in the country, with more than 425 providers, including more than 250 board-certified physicians, providing treatment at more than 100 care centers in Washington State.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/24/2018 -- SwiftPath surgeon Andrew Wickline, MD, was invited to perform a total hip replacement using the SwiftPath Method at the first Annual Arthroplasty Conference in Hyderabad, India in February, reported Craig McAllister, MD, president and chief medical officer of SwiftPath Program, LLC, a firm that develops evidenced-based, rapid recovery protocols that enable physicians to provide hip and knee replacements with early discharge in a hospital setting and same-day discharge in an outpatient setting. 

Dr. Wickline practices at Genesee Orthopedics in New Hartford, New York—and is the state's volume leader in joint replacement. "Working with Dr. Uday Krishna Myneni at KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, India, and using the latest techniques, including the SwiftPath Method and the Mizuho OSI Hana® Orthopedic Surgery Table, Dr. Wickline conducted a total hip replacement applying the anterior approach, which was broadcast live to attendees of the conference," Dr. McAllister says.

Dr. Wickline felt honored to do the first-ever hip replacement using the SwiftPath Method and the Hana table in India. "I have a really excellent anesthesia team, and four of my anesthesiologists come from Hyderabad," Wickline says, so he has great respect for the work done in India. "They do amazing, difficult cases—patients with fractures that have been neglected for 20 years, bilateral hip fusion takedowns—they do this routinely," Wickline says.

But they don't yet do outpatient joint replacement surgery, and Wickline aims to change that. "Surgeons saw the data that we presented and the outcomes that the SwiftPath Program has achieved. The younger surgeons were very interested in what we do," Dr. Wickline says. "In fact, we're now planning on developing a mini fellowship here in my hospital for some of the surgeons from Hyderabad."

"As someone who strives for the combination of perfection and efficiency in my practice, the ability to deliver consistent, superior outcomes with the least amount of disruption to the patient is my goal," Dr. Wickline says, "and the SwiftPath Method enables me to do that. I like sharing what I've learned with others." He hopes to demonstrate outpatient joint replacement on a return visit to India in the future.

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement. 

About Dr. Andrew Wickline
As a SwiftPath surgeon, Dr. Wickline (http://andrewwicklinemd.com) is at the cutting edge of joint replacement excellence. SwiftPath changes the existing paradigm with state-of-the-art methods to improve outcomes, reduce complications, reduce the need for narcotics, and quickly return patients to a more mobile life.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/27/2018 -- As outpatient joint replacement goes mainstream, "many surgeons will follow—but some will step forward to lead the transition," says Craig McAllister, MD, president and chief medical officer of SwiftPath Program, LLC, a firm that develops evidenced-based, rapid recovery protocols that enable physicians to provide hip and knee replacements in an outpatient setting.

"Aric Christal, MD; Sean Amann, MD; and David K. Kuechle, MD—all surgeons at Edmonds Orthopedic Center in Edmonds, Wash. (a division of Proliance Surgeons, Inc. P.S.) have chosen to lead by adopting the SwiftPath Method and preparing to perform outpatient surgery in Edmonds Orthopedic's new state-of-the-art ASC, expected to come online in the next few months," says Dr. McAllister.

"SwiftPath is changing how joint replacements are done, by decreasing the length of stay, improving the patient experience and lowering costs," explains Dr. Christal. "The program also focuses on the patient as the most valuable member of the recovery team. The methods used assist us in our goal of returning our patients to normal activities as quickly and safely as possible."

Doctors Christal, Amann and Kuechle are forward-thinking, progressive leaders in Orthopedics and are representative of the innovative surgeons that are driving the transition from inpatient to outpatient joint replacement surgery, according to Dr. McAllister. Dr. Christal was the recipient of the highly-coveted Complex Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte and has co-authored published research findings. Dr. Amann has participated in research aimed at reducing post-surgery infection and shortening the time patients spend in the hospital. Dr. Kuechle trained at the Mayo Clinic and is a global leader in joint replacement.

"All are committed to working toward advances in the field of Orthopedics," Dr. McAllister says, "and will provide invaluable feedback to the program that will enable us to continue to refine and adopt innovative best practices for the SwiftPath Method.

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

About Proliance Surgeons
Proliance Surgeons (http://www.proliancesurgeons.com) is one of the largest surgical practices in the country, with over 425 providers including over 250 board-certified physicians providing treatment at more than 100 care centers in Washington State.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/26/2018 -- As outpatient joint replacement goes mainstream, the joint replacement landscape demands new solutions to address old problems, according to Craig McAllister, MD, a ProOrtho surgeon and president and chief medical officer of SwiftPath Program, LLC. State-of-the-art outpatient facilities and specialists are embracing new telehealth software platforms and digital products from developers like SwiftPath. These are designed to alter how healthcare delivery, access and education in the outpatient space is managed—not only locally--but for patients who travel to access outpatient joint replacement surgery.

"The integration of these solutions is no longer a cool idea or pilot project," says Craig McAllister, MD, "It's the new reality and an important way to improve wider access to world-class joint replacement care, while also providing tools to reduce cost and improve the patient experience."

SwiftPath's new telehealth platform optimizes patient care in the outpatient space by providing access to regional, national and international patients for pre-op consults, patient engagement and education, patient surgical path selection, routine post-op care and cloud-based home monitoring care (with patient-reported outcomes available in real-time for surgeons).

According to Dr. McAllister, many arthritis patients live in areas where they simply do not have local access to state-of-the-art facilities and joint replacement surgeons. Now, outpatient joint replacement protocols, coupled with telehealth applications, allow patients to travel regionally, nationally and internationally to obtain best-in-class care and to safely recover in the comfort of their homes.

ProOrtho patient Kari Cummings recently took advantage of SwiftPath's telehealth application to meet with Dr. McAllister for a pre-op consult via teleconference. That saved her more than four hours of commute time, the cost of gas, the cost of lost wages and the aggravation of sitting on the interstate in traffic. "It was wonderful," Cummings says. "I was able to see the x-rays online. I was able to see my MRI. He took me through all of my scope pictures. He had me hold my iPad and walk. I did a selfie holding [the iPad] down by my knee. It saved me a lot of time. I love to have that option."

"Given the challenges we face in health care today—delivering care with the highest quality while improving the patient experience and reducing costs— means that the very foundation of how medicine is delivered needs to change," Dr. McAllister says. "Telehealth is the key to accomplishing those goals in the outpatient space."

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

About ProOrtho
ProOrtho (http://www.proortho.com) provides world-class orthopedic care by offering the widest spectrum of surgical and non-surgical options paired with the most advanced technologies and pain management treatments available.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Kirkland, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/14/2018 -- SwiftPath Program, LLC, which develops evidence-based, rapid recovery protocols vetted by experts that enable physicians to provide patients hip and knee replacements in an outpatient setting, welcomes Ronald Gregush, MD of ProOrtho, Kirkland, to the SwiftPath family of surgeons.

"Nationally, there is significant opportunity to improve patient care and substantially reduce healthcare cost by migrating hip and knee replacements to an outpatient environment," says Craig McAllister, MD, SwiftPath president and chief medical officer (and fellow ProOrtho surgeon). Historically, these procedures have been performed in a hospital setting, but the SwiftPath Method makes outpatient surgery an option by providing the protocols, methodology and technologies necessary for surgeons to operate successfully in an outpatient environment.

Patients who have outpatient surgery often recommend it to friends and family. "I'm definitely a fan of outpatient surgery," says Kari Cummings, a ProOrtho patient. "It was, as far as surgery goes, a wonderful experience." What Cummings liked most was being at home rather than in the hospital for recovery. "I liked being in my own clothes. I liked being in my bed. Being at home made a huge difference."

"The SwiftPath platform includes all of the elements a surgeon requires to move to outpatient surgery, with comprehensive patient engagement and education, telehealth applications, patient selection and success criteria, cloud-based home care monitoring (with patient-reported outcomes) and peer-reviewed minimally invasive surgical techniques," says Dr. Gregush, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine.

"Dr. Gregush shares our commitment to patients and goal to improve the quality of joint replacement care," Dr. McAllister says. "With forward-thinking surgeons like Dr. Gregush joining the SwiftPath family, we look forward to continuing our mission of enabling surgeons to perform state-of-the-art joint replacement surgery with reduced pain and improved patient experience in the outpatient and early discharge settings."

About SwiftPath
SwiftPath (http://www.swiftpath.com) develops consensus-based protocols, patient education programs and an array of information technology tools to assure the safety and efficiency of outpatient and early discharge setting joint replacement.

About ProOrtho
ProOrtho (http://www.proortho.com) provides world-class orthopedic care by offering the widest spectrum of surgical and non-surgical options paired with the most advanced technologies and pain management treatments available.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm