Orthopedics / Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rapid Assessment Clinic (RAC)
The Mackenzie Health Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rapid Assessment Clinic is part of the Ministry of Health's mandate that all patients referred for hip and knee joint replacement surgery will have an initial assessment.
Assessments are done by an advanced practice practitioner who helps to determine if the patient is a candidate for surgery. The Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has established a centralized referral system for hip and knee joint replacement patients at each of the region's five Rapid Access Clinics (RAC). These are designed to help improve patient access and decrease wait times.
The key elements of the program include:
- Central intake and referral management
- The ability to choose the hospital, specific surgeon or the first available surgeon
- Timely comprehensive assessments with advanced practice therapists
- A surgeon consult, if required
- Self-management support
- Referral to community resources
Referring a Patient
A completed central intake referral form must be completed by your primary care provider. Visit our referral and consent forms page to download the referral form.
Physician's offices can fax the form to our central intake team at (855) 346-9138.
How do I receive my appointment date and time?
A representative from the Mackenzie Health patient scheduling office will call you within two to four weeks of the referral being received to advise you of your appointment location, date and time, and your recommended arrival time.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
You will receive a telephone reminder a few days before your scheduled appointment. Please ensure that you confirm or cancel your appointment through our automated system.
You should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Please follow any preparation instructions provided at the point of scheduling. To prepare or your appointment, you should also bring:
- Your valid health card.
- A list of your medications.
- Your x-ray disc.
- Bring shorts or wear loose-fitting clothing to make it easier for our staff to assess your lower extremities during your assessment.
- A family member or friend, if you wish.
Please remember that Mackenzie Health is a scent-free environment.
What do I do when I arrive at the hospital?
- Patients may park in the visitors parking lot (north of the hospital) and enter through the D-wing entrance near the Emergency Department. Click here for more information about parking services.
- During peak hours, parking can take longer than expected. Please allow yourself extra time to accommodate this. Alternate options are to take public transit or be dropped off by a family member or friend.
- Check in at Patient Registration located in C-wing on level 2 (between the C-wing main lobby and D-wing Emergency Department entrance) using our self-serve kiosks.
- Once you have checked in, make your way to Room 2705 (in the same space as the Medical Urgent Care Clinic clinic) on level 2 of the C-wing
How long does the assessment take?
The assessment may take up to one hour.
What you can expect as part of the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Rapid Assessment Clinic (RAC)?
During your appointment at the MSK RAC, you can expect to:
- Review your medical history with one of our advanced practice providers
- Ask questions about your pain, mobility and function (daily living activities)
- Complete a physical assessment of your hip or knee
- Discuss and review the recommendations and plan developed for you
Before your assessment, please sign into MyChart and complete our questionnaire.
Your assessment will be completed by an advanced practice provider who conducts a detailed review of your health history, performs a physical examination, and reviews your x-rays.
If you are a candidate for surgery and want to have a surgical consultation, you will be notified of your appointment with the orthopedic surgeon.
If you are a surgical candidate, you will attend a preHab class at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. This class will help to prepare you for what to expect before and after your surgery.
If you do not wish to proceed with a surgical consultation or surgery, you will be given strategies, exercises, education and recommendations to help you manage your symptoms.
To view your recommended exercise guides for both patients that are surgical candidates and those that are not proceeding with surgery, log in to MyChart or click one of the links below to download a copy:
How do I reschedule my appointment?
Please provide at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. You can cancel your appointment online using MyChart. However, you will need to reschedule by calling the patient scheduling office at 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan.
What is Bundled Care?
Bundled Care is a service delivery and funding model designed to promote greater integration in health care delivery, driving high-quality, efficient care and improving patient outcomes and experiences. The hospital will coordinate your preparation and care upon discharge after your surgery in the community.
You will have access to our hip and knee Navigator, a dedicated patient contact to support patients and caregivers across the entire continuum of orthopedic care.
SE Health is our partner for post-surgery care which includes a 24/7 support call line available for patient concerns and clinical support requirements.
The discussion and the assessment done with your surgeon will determine whether you are a candidate for hip and/or knee total joint replacement through our Bundled Care initiative. If the surgeon decides you are a candidate for surgery, they will schedule you for the following:
- Pre-operative education (Pre-Ed)
- Pre-admission testing clinic
- Surgery visit
You will be informed of your homework and preparation responsibilities in partnership with your surgeon once you decide to do the surgery. You will also sign a consent form and an agreement to complete your required homework. You will also be provided with a Surgery Preparation Package MyChart Guide to walk you through all your required tasks. Click here to view the Surgery Preparation Package MyChart Guide.
It is important to note that you must complete your Pre-Operative Education and attend the Pre-Admission Testing Clinic in order to move forward with your surgery.
It is helpful to bring a family member or friend to your scheduled visits and recommended to bring someone who can help with translation if you are not comfortable with instruction in English.
What happens as a part of Pre-Education?
Your pre-education is an important part of your hip or knee replacement journey as it will assist you in preparing yourself and your home for both your surgery and return home from the hospital. Materials that are required to be reviewed as part of this includes:
- Bundled Care Welcome Video - this video will walk you through what to expect as part of your bundled care journey with total hip and/or knee replacement. View the video.
- Passport to Bundle Care Brochure - this brochure can be used as a checklist to ensure you and your home are fully prepared for your surgery and discharge from hospital. View the Passport to Bundle Care brochure.
- Total Joint Replacement Visit Guide - this document contains information related to your actual procedure and what to expect along with information about the hospital itself, including visiting hours, parking information and more. View the Total Joint Replacement Visit Guide.
- Total Joint Replacement Exercise Guide - this guide shows you exercises that will help strengthen your joint(s) post-surgery.
View the Total Joint Replacement Exercise Guide for Hips.
View the Total Joint Replacement Exercise Guide for Knees. - Pre-Education Responsibility Questionnaire - completing this questionnaire confirms that you have completed all required education tasks prior to your next visit to the hospital. Complete your questionnaire online through MyChart.
How do I reschedule my Pre-admission Clinic appointment(s)?
It is important to note that you must complete your Pre-operative Education and attend the Pre-admission Clinic (where applicable) in order to move forward with your surgery.
If you cannot attend your Pre-admission Clinic and need to reschedule, please call your referring physician's office.
To reschedule your Pre-operative Education, please call 905-883-2004.
What is Bundled Care?
Bundled Care is a service delivery and funding model designed to promote greater integration in health care delivery, driving high-quality, efficient care and improving patient outcomes and experiences. The hospital will coordinate your preparation and care upon discharge after your surgery in the community.
You will have access to our hip and knee Navigator, a dedicated patient contact to support patients and caregivers across the entire continuum of orthopedic care.
SE Health is our partner for post-surgery care which includes a 24/7 support call line available for patient concerns and clinical support requirements.
How do I contact the Patient Navigator?
Mackenzie Health's Patient Navigator is here to assist you throughout your bundled care journey and can be reached in the following ways:
MyChart: Ask A Question and select the Bundled Care Patient Navigator option.
Phone: 905-883-1212 ext. 7660
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays)
- Arthritis Society
- Canadian Orthopedic Foundation
- Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines
- Hip Exercise Program
- Knee Exercise Program
Hip and Knee Replacement with Dr. Mike E
Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital
C-wing, Level 2, Room 2705 (in the same space as the Medical Urgent Care Clinic)
10 Trench St. Richmond Hill, ON L4C 4Z3
Local to Richmond Hill: 905-883-1212
Local to Vaughan: 905-417-2000
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