Dr. Jhase Sniderman: Innovating orthopedic care in Nova Scotia

Dr. Jhase Sniderman is one of the key players behind some recent record-breaking healthcare accomplishments in Nova Scotia. 

The Dartmouth General Hospital surgeon is part of a team that set an Atlantic Canadian record by completing eight joint replacement surgeries in a single operating room, in a single day. 

The Toronto-born orthopedic surgeon, who did a fellowship in Boston, says it’s not uncommon to do eight surgeries a day. The difference is that usually surgeries are split between two operating rooms. 

“Many surgeries happen in a single day elsewhere in the country. We are just looking to optimize it in Nova Scotia for patients here,” he says. This passion for innovation and growth prompted Jhase to move to Halifax, where he could be connected to both research and clinical practice.  

Higher volumes, same quality care 

Nova Scotia's efforts to increase surgical volumes are paying off. A recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information ranked the province among the best in Canada for reducing wait times. Nova Scotia ranked second in Canada for completing cataract surgeries, knee replacements and joint replacements within national targets. Additionally, the province tied for third place for the percentage of hip fractures repaired in the targeted window.  

The record-breaking high volume orthopedic days are supported by a strong interdisciplinary healthcare team, including a surgeon, anesthesiologist, physician assistants, nurses, medical device reprocessing staff and housekeeping team members. The team prepares thoroughly in advance, right down to ensuring extra sets of all sterilized tools are available. 

Jhase says their success was possible because everyone was pulling in the same direction. “If everyone’s on board with one goal, you can make things happen.”  

But this increase in output does not sacrifice patient safety or quality of care. “The day is exactly the same whether there are four or five or eight operations – the patients still experience the same care in the pre-op unit, same care in the operating room, same care in the post-op experience. No one’s rushing them because we are doing more,” Jhase says. 

Innovation and challenging the status quo are important to meeting the growing needs of our province, says Jhase.  

“As more people move to the province, more people get older, finding ways to make the most with the resources you have is important. If we can push to do things differently, then care will change and efficiency will increase.” 

A difference-making passion  

As a former varsity hockey player, Jhase originally planned to go into sports medicine but found his passion in orthopedics. 

“Once I was in orthopedic training, I found I really liked doing hip and knee replacements, and with the advent of robotic assisted surgery it made it even more interesting.” 

The husband and father, who also teaches at Dalhousie and mentors medical students and residents, is inspired by the profound difference the joint replacements he performs make in patient’s lives.  

“With orthopedics, [patients] often have really painful joints beforehand. Then when you see them back in six weeks, most of the time they’re doing amazing. It’s rewarding to make a big impact in a short period of time.” 

And thanks to the commitment of the Dartmouth General team, and partners like the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, this work continues. 

“We want to keep improving in terms of the flow for patients. It’s really about making the experience better, so patients aren’t waiting as long for surgery.” 

Photo of Dr. Jhase Sniderman.