Peace Island Medical Center Does First Arthroscopic Surgery

— from PeaceHealth, Peace Island Medical Center —

Orthopedic surgeon Jeffrey Krusniak, MD, on Monday [July 20] performed arthroscopic surgery to repair a patient’s rotator cuff, the first surgery of its kind performed at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor.

An anesthesiologist from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center flew from Bellingham Monday morning to administer the anesthesia and monitor the patient throughout surgery.

Arthroscopy involves making a small incision through which a pencil-sized scope and specially designed instruments are inserted. The scope is attached to a camera, allowing the surgeon to view the joint area on a screen without needing to make the kind of larger incision associated with “open” surgery. The procedure does not require hospitalization, and patients typically have an easier recovery than they may have with open surgery.

General surgery has been available at PeaceHealth Peace Island since December 2014 and orthopedic surgery since April of this year.

“We’ve had great outcomes with our surgeries,” says Karla Veum, RN, perioperative manager. “People are happy and appreciate the convenience of having surgery close to home.”

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center comprises a 10-bed critical access hospital, primary care and specialty clinics, a cancer center, expanded diagnostic and treatment services, an operating suite for outpatient procedures and a 24-hour emergency department. PeaceHealth Peace Island operates as part of PeaceHealth’s Northwest Network, which includes PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, PeaceHealth United General Medical Center in Sedro-Woolley, several PeaceHealth Medical Group primary care and specialty clinics, cardiovascular and cancer centers, diagnostic laboratory and imaging services. PeaceHealth, with medical centers in Alaska, Washington and Oregon, is a not-for-profit health care system founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1891.