Orthopaedics
Touchstone Orthopaedics
A service of Fillmore County Hospital
Our name is Touchstone Orthopaedic Care. In times gone by, a touchstone was a dark piece of schist or jasper that was used to test precious metals for purity. That name has since evolved to mean: “a standard or criterion by which similar things are judged or recognized”, this is the definition which lead to the use of “Touchstone” as the name of our program. We know that with our goal, our care and our team we will become the orthopaedic program that is the standard for others to be measured by.
Our goal is to provide each patient with high quality orthopaedic care in a healing environment. A superior patient experience will be achieved through listening, compassion, safe care, shared decision making and complete and accurate patient education. We are here to serve each patient, recognizing their individual needs.
Our care will be patient focused, compassionate and innovative. Family and coaches will be included in every step of the process. Concerns and suggestions will be accepted graciously and addressed quickly. Quality orthopaedic care will be our passion. We commonly see patients for the following:
- Treatment for Knee/Hip Arthritis
- Total Joint Replacement of Knee/Hip
- Carpal/Cubital Tunnel Releases
- Trigger Finger Releases
- Ganglion Cyst Excision
- Rotator Cuff/Total Shoulder
- Arm & Hand Fractures
- Nailbed Injuries
- Metacarpal/Finger Fractures
Since the fall of 2019, we have offered robotic-arm assisted surgery technology for partial and total knee replacements. To learn more about our Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology click here.
To schedule an appointment or for further questions please call (402) 759-8201 or email Sue Keenan at skeenan@myfch.org.
Travis Stoner, DO
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Education: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency in Canton, OH
Adult Reconstruction Fellowship in Hip and Knee
Replacement at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH
About: Dr. Stoner practices diagnostic orthopaedic evaluations and advanced surgical expertise in knee and hip replacement. Also, he performs knee arthroscopy, fracture care, and sports injury management. Dr. Stoner and his wife, Mary, have four boys and enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, playing sports, church activities and riding his motorcycle.
MELISSA LAWRENCE, DO
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
Dr. Lawrence’s interest in medicine began in 1986 when she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After graduating with a degree in occupational therapy, Dr. Lawrence worked as an occupational therapist with the Green Bay Area Public Schools, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for eight years before returning to school.
In 2001, Dr. Lawrence enrolled in Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she graduated with a Doctor of Osteopathy degree four years later.
She completed her residency at Affinity Medical Center in Massillon, Ohio, and a hand/upper extremity fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee in 2011.
Maggie Johnson, PA-C
Orthopaedics
Education: Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
Certification: The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Maggie has over 20 years of experience in the field of medicine. Maggie is dedicated to get each and every one of her patients feeling better to improve their quality of life. She strives to constantly make positive changes with a team approach to produce good patient outcomes. Maggie is married and has 2 children. She currently resides in Hebron and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Natasha Frei, PA-C
Orthopaedics
Natasha grew up in Nelson, NE, a rural community about 45 minutes south west of Geneva. She has two younger siblings that still attend Lawrence/Nelson Elementary.
Natasha graduated from Lawrence/Nelson High School and then attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney for two years and transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Radiologic Technology. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from UNMC as well.
Throughout school she was able to work with a variety of specialists discovered that I enjoy every facet of medicine. However, there are a few areas has have a special interest in. These areas include women’s health, orthopedics and pediatric care.
She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the Nebraska Society of Radiologic Technologists. She enjoys riding horses, coaching her sister’s basketball team, reading books and spending time with friends and family.
Other Staff
John Steider, Patient Experience Liaison/Joint Care Coordinator
Judy Zoucha, LPN, Orthopaedic Clinic Coordinator
Tammy Wagner, Physical Therapist Assistant
Starlene Benorden, RN
Testimonials
Data
Fillmore County Hospital has partnered with Stryker Performance Solutions for 5 years. We are one of 95 Stryker Joint Care Facilitiy clients in the country and one of two in Nebraska. Through this partnership we are able to measure and track the progress of our total knee and hip replacement patients. We are measuring the amount of pain and degree of difficulty they have during certain activities; ie going up and down stairs, straightening the leg, bending to the floor to pick an object, rising from a seated position and standing up straight. We also measure distance walked. They also share with us on the survey how they feel about their general health, both physical and mental. We do this survey for one year at different time intervals, one before surgery (pre-op) and and 5 more which are done at follow up visits (post-op). We also track surgery time, recovery room time, complications, length of stay and patient satisfaction and likelihood to recommend. All of this information is reviewed on a quarterly basis with our whole team and we see how we doing and are able to compare our metrics with all of the other facilities in the same partnership with Stryker.
Example – Metrics tracked for the last 4 quarters of data (Q4 2018- Q3 2019)- 1 year time frame
Patient Related Metrics
Likelihood to Recommend: 99% of Patients would definitely recommend our hospital to friends or family for Knee replacement. Compared to the database average of 81%
None to Mild Pain: At 6 weeks post surgery 91% of our patients report only minimal pain when straightening their surgical knee as compared to only 73% of our comparison database average
Hospital Metrics:
Post op ambulation: 92% of our patients will walk at least 300 feet at one time before they go home after surgery. 58% of the patients in our database group did the same.
In the past 4 quarters: 0% Complications related to their joint replacement (database average 0.46%), 0% Blood Transfusions given (database average 1.40%), 0% Returned to hospital for care after discharge within 90 days (database average 7.46%)
What can I expect with my joint replacement surgery at Fillmore County Hospital?
At Touchstone Orthopaedic Care, a service of Fillmore County Hospital, the process for our elective joint replacement program is a comprehensive approach that includes coordinated participation between our orthopedic surgeons, hospital staff, and clinicians. We have developed a seamless, end to end system built around the patient and their key needs at all points along the continuum of care. We offer an exceptional patient experience that is powered by a wellness environment, data driven outcomes, thorough patient education that prepares patients before, during, and after surgery, a complimentary guidebook and joint class, a free reunion lunch, several amenities including a special t-shirt awarded at discharge, and extensive follow-up which includes personalized progress surveys to continuously monitor and improve quality of life. You become a part of our family here at Fillmore County Hospital and you are always cared for like family.
Highlights of the Joint Replacement Program
- Minimally invasive procedures for hip and knee replacement, combined with next generation, advanced analgesic techniques to decrease post-operative pain and nausea.
- A unique staffing model that integrates education, personal coaching and clinical excellence under a common goal of rapid recovery and improved quality of life.
- A redesigned physical environment and work processes that enhance the patient experience and significantly increase patient satisfaction.
- Standardized protocols that often facilitate early ambulation, rapid discharge, and accelerated recovery.
- A comprehensive system to measure clinical, functional and operational outcomes, and benchmarks to compare our outcomes with hospitals across the country.
More In Depth About the Joint Replacement Program Difference
- Comprehensive guidebook. Education begins in the physician’s office where patients are given a comprehensive guidebook, explaining before, during, and after surgery and providing a list of activities, including pre-operative orthopedic strengthening exercises that they need to begin prior to surgery.
- Pre-operative class. All patients and their coach are able to attend a pre-operative class two weeks prior to joint replacement surgery, where they learn about the procedure, understand what to expect in the hospital, and learn how to care for oneself after discharge.
- Coach. Each person chooses a coach which is usually a family member or friend who is an active participant in their loved one’s care before, during and after discharge from the hospital. Coaches learn the program right along with their loved one and provide encouragement and support. Coaches are given a special coach’s t-shirt.
- Aggressive daily schedule. Patients are up and dressed by 6 a.m., starting the day after surgery. Group joint therapy sessions as well as in-room therapy and education are held daily.
- Street clothes, no hospital gowns. Patients do not wear hospital gowns. They are to bring comfortable clothes like t-shirts, shorts, and sweats that they wear during the day, further encouraging our program’s fundamental concept of wellness.
- Patient ambulation incentive board. Joint patients compete with other joint patients on distance walked each day. All progress is tracked on a large magnetic board themed with trains and is posted on the wall outside patient rooms for all to see. This board provides visual reinforcement of goals met each day. “Beat the Board” as we like to say and walk over 2500 feet.
- After-care support program. Graduates receive calls from The Touchstone staff after discharge, and receive extensive follow-up at 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.
- Reunion Lunch for graduates and their coaches are held regularly with surgeons and the entire care team.
- Care Coordinator. One person, a patient advocate and liaison, oversees the patient’s entire stay, and is a resource before, during and after discharge.
- Superior outcomes. We evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional, and patient satisfaction criteria. These outcomes are analyzed during performance improvement team meetings, and enable us to become masters of teamwork. So when we say we offer superior outcomes, we have the data to prove it.
