Norton Healthcare has received certification as an Orthopaedic Center of Excellence, one of only 12 hospital systems in the country to receive the designation.
Norton Healthcare’s Norton Orthopedic Institute and Norton Leatherman Spine received the designation from DNV Healthcare, a leading worldwide certification body committed to the development and continual improvement of health care quality and patient safety. According to DNV, the certification represents the highest level of competence for treating orthopedic conditions, including hip, knee and shoulder replacement, and spine procedures.
“Our team at Norton Orthopedic Institute works tirelessly to provide consistent and high-quality care throughout the region,” said Ryan J. Krupp, M.D., executive medical director, Norton Orthopedic Institute. “Achieving this designation shows our commitment to the health and safety of our patients so they can return to living their best lives possible.”
“For more than 50 years, Norton Leatherman Spine has strived to offer world-class care, not just for patients locally but also from around the world,” said Steven D. Glassman, M.D., orthopedic spine surgeon and medical director of Norton Leatherman Spine. “This designation from DNV is further proof of our commitment to the thousands of patients we treat every year and our goal of being the most comprehensive spine program in the country.”
The DNV Orthopaedic Center of Excellence designation is obtained by meeting guidelines and specific requirements around foot and ankle surgeries, hip and knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, and spine surgeries. The designation also shows that hospitals address the full spectrum of orthopedic care — diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education — and establish clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.
“Achieving designation shows a commitment to excellence,” says Patrick Horine, president, DNV Healthcare. “It helps demonstrate to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”
Norton Orthopedic Institute and Norton Leatherman Spine perform thousands of joint replacements and spine surgeries every year, more than any other health care provider in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Many of their surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgical techniques using advanced robotics with the focus of minimizing pain and reducing recovery time.
More than 1 million joint replacement surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year. A study published by the National Institutes of Health predicts that number is expected to increase to nearly 4 million by 2030. More than 1.5 million Americans also undergo spine procedures annually.