Comprehensive Total Joint Team 

Scottsdale Healthcare Shea’s Total Joint Center is made up of medical professionals representing a wide variety of clinical departments. Physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, and other medical professionals provide care for total joint patients during their stay at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center. 

Physicians 

Orthopedic Surgeon – experienced Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in joint replacement surgery and utilizes innovative surgical techniques and technology. 

Primary Care Physician – may be assigned to the patient to assist with medical care management. 

Physician Assistant – experienced in the care of patients with total joint replacement and will assist the Orthopedic Surgeon during surgery and rounds in the hospital. 

Anesthesiologist – physician skilled in joint replacement anesthesia who will visit the patient prior to scheduled procedure and delivers/monitors anesthesia throughout surgery.

Pre-Operative Appointment Team 

Pre-Operative Appointment Scheduler – will call the patient to schedule the pre-operative appointment. 

Pre-Operative Appointment Registered Nurse – completes an interview to obtain medical history and review the patient record; assists the patient in obtaining any necessary laboratory work and arranges for an electrocardiogram (EKG) and radiology testing as necessary. 

Pre-registration Staff – will complete the Express Admission process and have the patient sign a Financial Responsibility form. 

Surgical Team 

Pre-operative Registered Nurse – reviews patient care record, starts IV, obtains any additional lab testing necessary and prepares the surgical site. 

Patient Care Tech – assists the patient in preparing for surgery and with all patient needs during their stay in surgery. 

Health Unit Coordinator – organizes the patient chart, orders necessary testing, prints laboratory results and assists all staff to facilitate patient flow through the surgical areas. 

Surgical Registered Nurse – interviews patient prior to surgery, assists patient to surgery and is the patient’s “eyes and ears” during the procedure 

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse – assists the patient when awakening from surgery, medicates the patient for pain and nausea if necessary, oversees x-rays when necessary and escorts the patient to the Total Joint Center.

Total Joint Center Team 

Orthopedic Nurse – provide care for the total joint patient on a specialized nursing unit, where they have received specialized training in assisting total joint patients with recovery and mobility. 

Physical Therapist – provides exercise and mobility training with the focus on getting in/out of bed, in/out of a chair, and walking/climbing stairs with the appropriate assistive devices to assist in your recovery and rehabilitation; designs specific accelerated therapy programs to help individual patients meet their own personal mobility or activity goals. 

Occupational Therapist – provides exercise and training in how to appropriately carry out normal daily activities (bathing, dressing, toileting), utilizing self-care equipment to assist with your recovery and rehabilitation; designs specific accelerated therapy programs to help individual patients meet their own personal mobility or activity goals. 

Social Worker/Case Manager – assists the patient with discharge planning from the hospital and with identifying the appropriate pharmacy for prescriptions; addresses any special needs or concerns that individual patients may have regarding their plan of care. 

Ortho Tech – assists total joint patients with setup of overhead trapeze and applies CPM (continuous passive motion) machine for total knee replacements as ordered by the Orthopedic Surgeon.