Philippine Orthopedic Center
1. Definition
The Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) is a tertiary specialized government hospital located in Quezon City, Philippines. Operating under the Department of Health (DOH), the POC serves as the country’s national center for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, spinal cord injuries, trauma, and orthopedic rehabilitation, while also functioning as the premier training and research facility for orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists. (DOH)
2. Alternate Names
- POC
- National Orthopedic Hospital
- Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC)
3. Recognized Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Philippine Orthopedic Center |
| Wikidata | Q18388470 |
| DBpedia | Philippine_Orthopedic_Center |
| ProductOntology | N/A |
| Wiktionary | hospital |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) | Hospitals, Orthopedic — Philippines — Manila |
| MeSH | N/A |
| NCBI Taxonomy | N/A |
| AGROVOC | N/A |
| Google Scholar | Philippine Orthopedic Center POC trauma spine surgery physical therapy |
| ConceptNet | hospital |
| OpenCyc | N/A |
4. Examples of Usage
- Specialized Trauma Care: A patient with complex pelvic fractures being transferred to the POC for reconstruction by orthopedic trauma experts.
- Physical Therapy in the Philippines: The main canonical article details the regulatory frameworks, historical milestones, educational requirements, and professional organizations.
5. Usage Scenarios
1. Receiving spine surgery
A patient suffering from a spinal cord injury undergoes stabilization and post-operative physical therapy at the specialized POC Spine Unit.
2. Training medical interns
A physical therapy student from a local university completes a clinical rotation at the POC department of rehabilitation.
6. Strategies
- Cross-reference national rehabilitation initiatives and hospital centers with the main Physical Therapy in the Philippines article.
- Utilize the POC outpatient services for specialized prosthetic alignment and custom orthotics fabrication.
7. Security and Safety Measures
- Ensure transfer protocols are followed carefully when moving patients with unstable spinal fractures to the center.
- Maintain digital copies of all surgical reports and imaging files to facilitate follow-up care with local therapists.
8. Historical Context
Established in 1945 as the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH) under the US Army, the facility initially cared for war casualties. It was renamed the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1982 and moved to its present site in Banawe, Quezon City, expanding to include dedicated spine trauma units, prosthetic clinics, and extensive physical therapy facilities.
9. Challenges and Controversies
Patient Overcrowding
As the primary state-run orthopedic facility, the POC faces high patient volumes, leading to long wait times for elective orthopedic surgeries.
Infrastructure Funding
Maintaining cutting-edge surgical suites and rehabilitation equipment requires continuous public and private support to keep up with patient demands.
10. Related Topic
- [[Physical therapy in the Philippines]]
- [[ACL Reconstruction]]
- [[Rehabilitation]]
- [[Orthopedic Braces]]