Integrated Orthopedic Recovery Pathway
Orthopedic recovery is not a single event but a continuum. In Malaysia, many patients fall through the cracks of fragmented care: discharged from acute hospitals too soon, left with inconsistent follow-ups, and burdened families unprepared for caregiving. This often results in avoidable setbacks, prolonged disability, and readmission risks.
Recognizing this gap, TAGS Chiro & Rehab & Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital
are proud to introduce an Integrated Orthopedic Recovery Pathway in order to :
Prepare patients physically and mentally for the surgery through pre-rehab in TAGS
Ensure early, intensive, and multidisciplinary post-surgical rehabilitation in a medically supervised subacute setting (Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital)
Provide seamless transition to community outpatient rehabilitation at TAGS nationwide network of centers
Enhance recovery outcomes while minimizing complications and hospital readmissions
This pathway completes the spectrum providing full therapeutic support for surgical patients.
Orthopedic recovery often faces several systemic barriers that compromise patient outcomes. Among the key challenges are:
Fragmented rehab models delay recovery
Many patients go from hospital to home or rehab without a clear plan. This leads to gaps in therapy, inconsistent follow-up and slower progress in regaining function and mobility.
Lack of pre-op conditioning reduces surgical readiness
Patients often go into surgery physically deconditioned, especially elderly individuals or those with chronic illnesses. Without targeted pre-surgical strengthening, their bodies are less prepared for recovery, increasing the risk of complications and delayed healing.
Limited post-op monitoring increases complications
Once discharged, patients may lack close clinical supervision at home. Without regular monitoring, signs of infection, poor wound healing or reduced mobility can go unnoticed leading to readmissions, prolonged disability or even surgical failure.
Surgeons face long-term functional pressure
Orthopedic surgeons are often expected to deliver not only successful surgical outcomes but also long-term functional results. Without a coordinated rehab pathway, surgeons have limited control over the patient's post-op journey, which can affect outcomes, patient satisfaction and their professional reputation.
Criteria | Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital | TAGS Outpatient |
|---|---|---|
Duration | Ranging between 1 to 3 Weeks | Week 4 – Week 16 |
Level of Supervision | 24/7 nursing and interdisciplinary care | Scheduled therapy sessions |
Complexity of Recovery | Medium to High | Moderate to low complexity |
Cost | As low as MYR3000 for 7 days (all in) | Start from MYR88 per session |
Patient Independence | Limited | Ambulatory |
Location Flexibility | Shah Alam | Multiple Centres nationwide |
Goals | To achieve ADL independent and gait training | For Community Integration |
Criteria | Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital | TAGS Outpatient |
|---|---|---|
Duration | Ranging between 1 to 3 Weeks | Week 4 – Week 16 |
Level of Supervision | 24/7 nursing and inter-disciplinary care | Scheduled therapy sessions |
Complexity of Recovery | Medium to High | Moderate to low complexity |
Cost | As low as MYR3000 for 7 days (all in) | Start from MYR88 per session |
Patient Independence | Limited | Ambulatory |
Location Flexibility | Shah Alam | Multiple Centres nationwide |
Goals | To achieve ADL independent and gait training | For Community Integration |
Complimentary on-site Rehab Assessment by Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital with Surgeon.
Clinical Impact
Want to see the real numbers? Visit https://tags.my/ for detailed patient case studies, including recovery timelines, functional scores, and post-discharge outcomes from actual Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital patients.
Benefits to Referring Surgeons
Next Steps
We invite orthopedic surgeons to:
- Pilot this pathway with selected patients and provide feedback for improvement
- Co-develop specialty recovery protocols tailored to specific surgical procedures or patient profiles
- Collaborate on outcome tracking studies.
- Sample of Outpatient Progress Report – TAGS
Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital Shah Alam
TAGS Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
A Collaborative Care Model with
References
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2. Jones EL, Wainwright TW, Foster JD, Smith JR, Middleton RG, Francis NK. A systematic review of patient reported outcomes and patient experience in enhanced recovery after orthopedic surgery. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014 Mar;96(2):89-94. doi: 10.1308/003588414X13824511649571. PMID: 24780662; PMCID: PMC4474266.
3. Larsen K, Hansen TB. S0balle K, Kehlet H. Patient-reported outcome after fast-track knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012;20:1,128–1,135.
doi: 10.1007/s00167-012-1919-4.
4. Mark Middleton, Bettina Wan, Ruy da Assunçāo, Improving hip fracture outcomes with integrated orthogeriatric care: a comparison between two accepted orthogeriatric models, Age and Ageing, Volume 46, Issue 3, May 2017, Pages 465–470, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw232
5. Fawley, D., Bernard, T., Thomason, H.C. et al. Early functional recovery outcomes and return to work after primary total hip arthroplasty: a novel patient reported outcomes questionnaire. J Orthop Surg Res 19, 434 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-04937-z