Appalachian Orthopedics' John Martino, MD, performed the first outpatient joint replacement at the new Bristol (Tenn.) Surgery Center.
Five details:
1. Dr. Martino performed an outpatient partial knee replacement on Merrill Morrison. Dr. Martino is with Appalachian Orthopedics, which has locations in Bristol, Kingsport, Tenn., and Johnson City, Tenn.
2. Mr. Morrison went home within six hours of the procedure. He called the experience "the wave of the future."
3. Bristol Surgery Center recently reopened after undergoing extensive renovations, which included new flooring, electrical and plumbing systems, and LED surgical lighting.
4. Bristol Surgery Center's physicians are on the medical staff at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The center has four operating rooms and one minor procedure room.
5. Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, the ASC offers outpatient surgeries ranging from orthopedics to pediatrics.