Abelardo Sotelo, M.D., found a new home at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center last summer and this fall he discovered his second home. The orthopedic surgeon is now performing surgeries at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington in addition to his St. Rose procedures.
In general, Dr. Sotelo performs one-day surgeries at St. Rose and joint replacements at Clara Barton. The replacement surgeries entail over-night stays for the patients, which Clara Barton can accommodate.
“This has been an exceptional experience,” Dr. Sotelo said. “The people at Clara Barton, from A to Z, are professional and personable – just like my colleagues here at St. Rose.”
Dr. Sotelo performed the first of several Clara Barton knee replacements late in October, and has close to a dozen more scheduled for the near future.
“The operating room staff, the floor nurses, the therapists – everyone is extremely helpful and knowledgeable,” Dr. Sotelo said. “And Mike Sheppard, who has exceptional skills as a certified nurse anesthetist, has been instrumental in cementing this new partnership. But most important, the patients have been giving us great feedback.
“I haven’t heard one complaint,” Dr. Sotelo continued. “All the surgeries have gone extremely well and our patients are pleased with the outcomes and care.”
Dr. Sotelo spends a lot of time with each patient at his St. Rose office before the procedure, explaining the surgery and follow-up care. In addition, patients attend “boot camp” at Clara Barton so they can learn even more about what to expect.
Curt Colson, Clara Barton president and chief executive officer, echoed many of Dr. Sotelo’s comments, indicating he couldn’t be more pleased with this new arrangement.
“We have been impressed with Dr. Sotelo’s surgical ability and patient outcomes,” Colson said. “He is a highly skilled surgeon with many years of experience in joint replacements. We are delighted with his personalized care, and everyone is impressed with his bedside manner.
“His patients have been very pleased, reporting minimal pain and short recovery periods,” Colson added. “At least one patient is already scheduled for replacement of the other knee.”
The new partnership with St. Rose is part of an overall effort to provide comprehensive, affordable health care to central Kansans, Colson commented.
“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for St. Rose and its long-standing commitment to the community,” Colson said. “Like Clara Barton Hospital, St. Rose has a rich tradition of providing a broad range of surgical and acute health-care services.
So, when St. Rose and Dr. Sotelo voiced interest in performing total knee and hip replacements here, we jumped at the opportunity,” he continued. “Our OR personnel have the necessary skills and surgery time is available. This was an easy decision to make.”