b'When Mardy DiNitto faced total knee replacement surgery, her biggest concern wasnt the procedure itself, but what came afterwards. As a widow living alone in an apartment with stairs, she needed to ensure she could safely return to independent living.DiNittos team at Concord Orthopaedics provided her with a list of local rehabilitation options. However, it wasnt until a Our Impact friend mentioned the Skilled and Restorative Care program at CH-F that she realized thats where she wanted to begin her physical recovery. HEALING After speaking with Director of the Post-Acute Service Line for CHHS Jane Cipriano, DiNitto felt comfortable that shed be in good hands beyond her surgery. What distinguished the Franklin option was the personalized attention DiNitto TO HOME received from that very first phone call and on a subsequent tour of the facility. There she learned that Franklins subacute unit offeredphysical and occupational therapy twice dailyin a more intimate setting compared to what shed seen at larger facilities.Everyone we encountered seemed so pleasant, recalls DiNitto, 77. I knew when I left that [Franklin] was my first choice.Meanwhile, Cipriano answered all of the DiNittos questions and worked proactively to secure a bed for the Concord residents post-surgery needs, even calling to confirm availability a couple of weeks before the procedure. From surgery to rehabilitation, DiNittos care was nearly seamless. While insurance approval created some initial uncertainty, Cipriano handled coordination with the orthopaedic team and the Care Management Department, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly once approval came through. After her three-night hospital stay, DiNitto transitioned directly to the Skilled and Restorative Care program in Franklin. Jane handled everything very nicely,she explains. Shes a remarkable woman.During her five-day stay in Franklin, DiNitto experienced collaborative care, noting the facilitys professional, friendly staffacross all departments, from RNs and LNAs to housekeeping and dietitians. She also appreciated the team-based approach. When her nurse was busy with another patient, a nurse from another wing stepped in to provide her medications. She also praised the social director, who arranged for DiNitto and other patients to gather outdoors to Concord Hospital - Franklin connect over lunch.That meant a lot, she says. It was a welcoming atmosphere,and everybody seemed to really enjoy doing their job. The [Skilled and Restorative Care] program in Franklin is an unknown gem. The care was wonderful.Cipriano explains that patients are part of the interdisciplinary team approach in Skilled and Restorative Care, and credits DiNitto with setting goals and expectations for herself and doing her part to ensure her own physical recovery. We were thrilled to see Mardy progress quickly after her surgery, working diligently with therapy, which enabled her to reach her goal of returningback home, Cipriano says. Were grateful for the trust and confidence Mardy put in our program to meet her therapy and nursing needs following her acute hospital stay.48 CONCORD HOSPITAL HEALTH SYSTEM |One System'