When Spectrum Health Lakeland returned orthopedic surgeries to their hospital facility in Niles two years ago, it was the start of a surge in procedures and now hospital directors are paving the way for substantive improvements for both the orthopedic and bariatric units in the Niles community.
The Spectrum Health Lakeland Board of Directors recently approved a $1.34 million investment to renovate the bariatric and orthopedic units at Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital. Construction began this month and will feature seven private rooms with large bathrooms, showers, and bariatric toilets, an updated nurses’ station, and upgraded mechanical systems.
Orthopedic surgeries, such as joint replacement, ligament repair, and bone fractures, returned to that hospital in 2018. Since then, surgeons have completed over 163 procedures. Lakeland Orthopedics, located at 6 Longmeadow Village Drive, Suite 1 in Niles, also began offering expanded hours with a care team available to see patients five days a week.
Lakeland Niles Hospital remains the primary facility for all bariatric (weight loss) surgeries performed at Lakeland. In September of 2019, the hospital was accredited as a Low Acuity Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) which ensures bariatric surgical patients participate in a multidisciplinary program to improve patient outcomes and long-term success. Since 2018, surgeons at the Lakeland Weight Loss Center have performed more robotic-assisted weight loss procedures than any other health system in West Michigan and Northern Indiana.
Dr. Dennis Disch, MD, Chief Medical Officer/Chief Operating Officer at Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles Hospital, says, “Patients who undergo orthopedic or bariatric surgery often experience significant improvements in their quality of life,” and adds, “We continue to see an increased need for both services in Niles and the surrounding communities. This renovation project will allow us to offer high-tech modernizations and enhance the overall patient experience for patients needing to stay overnight following a surgical procedure.”
To date, community members have raised over $270,000 in support of the project. Those in search of more information, or wishing to donate, can visit online at: http://spectrumhealthlakelandfoundation.org or can call 269.927.5145.
