Ochsner Health System (Ochsner) has been named a Walmart National Center of Excellence for lower joint replacement surgery. Ochsner Medical Center – Jefferson Highway, the system’s flagship facility, will serve Walmart associates from across the nation in need of hip and knee replacement surgery, effective immediately. Ochsner is the 12th healthcare organization in the nation to be named a Walmart Center of Excellence for joint replacement surgery.
Walmart chooses Centers of Excellence locations through a selective process, which requires hospitals to demonstrate an ability to provide excellent care, a dedication to addressing the root-cause of a patient's condition, and an outstanding patient experience, among other key criteria that’s reviewed.
“Our team is honored to partner with Walmart to provide their team members from across the country with world-class orthopedic care,” said Dr. George Chimento, department chairman, Orthopedics, Ochsner. “This partnership will allow thousands of individuals to receive life-changing medical services, while keeping healthcare affordable.”
Ochsner’s Orthopedics team has been recognized nationally, receiving the Healthgrades Orthopedic Surgery Award™ and was listed as one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ in 2018. Treatment options include minimally invasive joint surgery, partial joint replacement, and robotically assisted joint replacement surgery using the Mako system.
Joint replacement surgery removes damaged or diseased parts of a joint and replaces them with new, man-made parts to reduce pain and improve movement. In many cases, joint pain is caused by damage to the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones – either from arthritis, a fracture, or another condition.
Ochsner’s designation as a Walmart Center of Excellence is an extension of an existing partnership between Ochsner Health Network and Walmart, which was announced in October of 2018. The two organizations launched the Ochsner Accountable Care Plan, a health insurance plan available to approximately 6,600 Walmart and Sam’s Club employees in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La. The plan utilizes Ochsner Health Network’s physicians, hospitals, and care providers to improve care and reduce costs.