Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Downtown Complex – Orthopedic Leaders Open New Facility with Focus on Patient Care, Education and Research

By Staff Writer

As the region’s largest orthopedic and sports medicine practice, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute provides advanced orthopedic care to more than 250,000 patients each year. Physicians specialize in every area of orthopedics, including joint replacement, hand and upper extremities, foot and ankle, orthopedic trauma, spine, sports medicine, concussions, musculoskeletal radiology, bone health and anesthesia.

The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will begin welcoming patients to its new, downtown complex March 27. Located at the corner of Columbia St. and Lucerne Terrace in Orlando, the 375,000-square-foot, seven-story institute will be the first of its kind in the southeastern U.S. It provides every aspect of elective orthopedic care and world class physician training tools under one roof.

“We’re really excited to see this project come to life,” said Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Physician President Dr. Michael Jablonski. “Physicians and other team members helped create the design, which is a unique feature of this facility. That insight will lead to a safer, efficient environment that promotes wellness and healing for our patients.”

During the phase 1 opening of the facility, patients can access imaging, lab and pharmacy services, a 62-exam room clinic, the ambulatory surgery center and rehabilitation space. The phase 2 opening, set for August, will include the state’s first orthopedic specialty hospital and an education and research center.

“The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Downtown Complex provides an elevated level of orthopedic care for people in Central Florida and the surrounding region,” said Carlos Carrasco, president of the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. “This project combines world class physicians, state of the art technology and thoughtful dedication to safety and a patient’s experience.”

Imaging

Every detail of the institute has been designed to ensure the best experience for patients. For many, this begins with imaging.

Orlando Health is the first health system in Florida to receive MRI technology that will significantly accelerate scans and provide new entertainment options. When patients arrive for the MRI exam, they will be able to set mood lights inside the room. The scan itself will be enhanced with augmented reality. Patients can immerse themselves in videos or music throughout the imaging experience, while a visible clock counts down their scan time.

According to Siemens, some knee exams can be completed in less than two minutes. “Most orthopedic patients are used to spending 30 to 40 minutes inside an MRI machine,” said Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute musculoskeletal radiologist Dr. Jonathan Kazam. “By significantly reducing scan time, we expect that patient comfort inside the MRI machine will be greatly enhanced, which will result in less motion and higher quality images.”

Orthopedic Clinic

The orthopedic clinic includes 62 exam rooms, three procedure rooms, seven x-ray suites and two casting rooms. On average, 12 providers will staff the clinic daily, offering expertise in traumatology, spine, foot and ankle, hand, joint replacements, sports surgery, non-operative sports medicine, concussion management and pediatric sports medicine. The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute employs highly-trained orthopedic and sports medicine physicians, many of whom completed sub-specialty fellowships in their areas of focus. They are trusted to care for Central Florida’s elite athletes, as the official medical provider for Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer, University of Central Florida and Orlando Ballet.

They will provide that same level of care to all of their patients.

Same day appointments will be available in the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute’s newest walk-in center at the downtown complex.

“We’re really excited to offer walk-in orthopedic care at the downtown complex,” said Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute assistant vice president Kelsey Kiser. “This is a convenient alternative to an emergency room visit and can save patients time and money.”

Providers in the clinic are trained to assess and diagnose orthopedic injuries and concerns. Some patients may be able to leave the same day with a treatment plan and all follow-up appointments scheduled. In addition, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute clinic locations across Central Florida will remain open with 24/7 access to scheduling online or through a call center.

Rehabilitation

The operating rooms inside the Eugene Jewett, MD Surgery Center are designed specifically for orthopedic surgeries. They are virtually connected so that residents, and physicians worldwide, have learning and collaboration opportunities.

Orlando Health’s rehabilitation team has extensive experience, numerous board certifications and top-quality scores in change in function and efficiency. These expert therapists will collaborate with physicians daily to optimize care plans for patients.

The therapists use a variety of techniques. For example, many therapists are certified in dry needling, which is the specialized use of micro needles to release muscular trigger points. This can often relieve pain within a day.

The rehabilitation space is filled with the latest technology. For injured athletes, a simulator for golf and soccer helps track progress and guide treatment. This is the same simulator that the pros use on the PGA tour. Another game changer is the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill. Only about 10 percent of clinics have this technology, which allows patients to walk and run much earlier in their recovery, with up to 80 percent of weight removed from their bodies. The expert therapists use motion analysis cameras and force plates, which helps provide data on movement and balance. To better assess when an athlete is ready to return to the field or court, Orlando Health has installed turf and hardwood surfaces in the physical therapy space, to match those surfaces used in sports.

The entire clinic was designed around returning patients back to their functional levels, from office workers to professional athletes, and everyone in between.

EUGENE JEWETT, MD SURGERY CENTER

The Eugene Jewett, MD Surgery Center is one of the largest ambulatory surgery centers in Florida with 12 operating rooms and three minor procedure rooms.

The ORs will only be used for orthopedic and spine surgeries. Due to the specialized use, the lay out is specifically designed to prevent infection.

The surgery center is embedded within the medical pavilion, a unique feature that provides all types of orthopedic services in one location. Not only will patients have easy access to the ASC with a dedicated parking garage and valet, they will also be able to receive pre-admission testing, imaging services, pharmacy services and outpatient rehabilitation at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Downtown Complex.

Physicians helped configure the operating rooms to create the safest space for patients. A clean suite operating room ceiling system uses high-performance diffuser grilles to turn turbulent air flow into laminar flow, directing airborne particles and contaminants away from the patient and OR staff while encompassing the room in HEPA-filtered air. The operating rooms are equipped to live stream surgeries so residents and fellows can further their learning opportunities at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. Physicians worldwide can access the streams for additional learning and collaboration opportunities.

The integration of video technology also provides a direct route for all intra-operative imaging to be uploaded into the patient’s electronic medical record. This allows the post-operative care team, such as physical and occupational therapists, the ability to review the anatomy and repair. That information helps customize post-operative therapy to achieve the most successful outcomes.

In the Eugene Jewett, MD Surgery Center nano-suites, the state-of-the-art NanoScope operative arthroscopy system uses high definition, chip-on-tip image sensor technology to provide surgeons with a needle-sized, single-use camera system. The portability of the imaging system allows the surgeon to perform minimally invasive arthroscopy without the need for anesthesia.

Pre-planning and post-operative care remain at the center of positive outcomes for all same-day surgeries. Patients can access total joint replacement education classes to prepare for their surgery and classes that focus on the recovery work needed after surgery.

Orthopedic Specialty Hospital

Phase 2 of the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will open in August and includes an orthopedic specialty hospital, 75 inpatient rooms, plus a research and innovation center.

To prepare and alleviate any anxiety before surgery, the lobby of the hospital will feature a simulated operating room, so that patients can see the area, tools and technology that will be used during their operation.

The orthopedic specialty hospital will include 10 additional operating rooms. The 75 inpatient rooms will be “smart rooms.” Patients can use advanced remote technology to optimize their comfort level by controlling environmental factors such as temperature and window shades. The rooms will also have large screens so that patients can view their medical information, recovery plan and watch their personal entertainment through their streaming service accounts like Netflix.

“Sometimes, simply knowing when your next medication is coming or what type of physical therapy plan is in store can be a huge relief to patients,” said Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Allied Health and Support Services Administrator April Ernst. “We want to make sure our patients have easy access to that information with the touch of a button.”

Providing a safe and clean environment has been a top priority throughout the project. The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute’s Sterile Processing department is 12,000-sq.-feet. It has a best in class clean-to-dirty-to-clean flow. The process begins when the cart with dirty instruments leaves the OR using a dedicated contaminated elevator and arrives in the decontamination area. Once the items are decontaminated, they are loaded into one of six STERIS washer disinfectors, and the carts go through separate STERIS cart washers. These are extremely high temperature machines that render the items free of microbes. On the clean side of the department, the instruments are prepped, packed, and loaded into one of five pass through steam sterilizers or V-pro peroxide plasma sterilizers. Once the process is complete, the instruments are returned to the operating room using a dedicated clean elevator that arrives directly to the sterile core of the operating room.

When patients visit or stay at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, they can expect unique dining options. Many orthopedic patients are healthy and active, so the food will match that lifestyle. All food will be made to order, with fresh meat and fish options. Patients will also be able to order room service through an app or their hospital room’s Smart TV.

Bioskills Lab

A research and innovation center on the seventh floor will provide a hands-on learning environment for orthopedic surgery residents. It includes a 10-station cadaver lab, 3D printer and 116-seat auditorium.

“We know we have physician shortages throughout the United States. If physicians could be educated at a facility of this caliber, that puts people out in the community that have access to the latest technology and the best training you can get in the Southeast,” said Dr. George Haidukewych, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Academic Chairman.

An institute is defined by excellence in patient care, education, and research. The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute’s world-renowned surgeons have published hundreds of research studies, book chapters and instructional videos. They are highly sought after speakers at national and international orthopedic meetings, and many are involved in new implant development and design. This ensures that patients have unique access to cutting-edge technologies and techniques.

Orlando Health offers a comprehensive, hands-on orthopedic surgery residency program that allows each resident to gain experience in the full range of orthopedic care, from hand and upper extremity, foot, ankle and hip subspecialties, to pediatric orthopedics, spine care and sports medicine. Orlando Health’s fellowship programs in trauma, pediatric orthopedics, surgical sports medicine and primary care sports medicine allow fellows to participate in diagnosis and treatment within their area of focus. Orlando Health also offers an orthopedic physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner fellowship.

Our History

Orlando Health acquired Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic in 2019 to begin work on the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute – named to honor Dr. Eugene Jewett.

Dr. Eugene Jewett was a Central Florida orthopedic surgeon, and founder of the Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic, whose dedication to the specialty saved hundreds of thousands of lives. When injured and bedridden patients couldn’t access orthopedic care in the 1930’s, he would bring the care to their homes. Known to drive around with an x-ray machine and a nurse, his reputation became well-known. Soon, hospitals were asking him to visit. They assembled rooms full of orthopedic patients for Dr. Jewett to examine and treat.

His inventions include the Jewett Hip Nail and the Jewett Hyperextension Back Brace. Both devices significantly improved the outcome for orthopedic patients. The earnings he received from the pioneering devices were poured back into medicine and education for others.

Orlando Health was founded in 1918 on the heels of World War I, in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic that raged across the world. Orange General Hospital, as it was known then, was supported financially by community members and a dedicated group of physicians. More than 100 years later, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for Central Florida’s only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows.

Orlando Health is excited to build upon these two rich histories, to create a new legacy in orthopedics.

Our Specialty Orthopedic Centers

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