BY NANCY SCHRINER
Local health innovations that could make a big difference in the health of your family.
Innovation
means new—a new way of doing, a new way to look at things, or a new way to
solve a problem. Usually starting out in the lofty heights of universities or
sterile laboratories, medical innovations are exciting—for the medical
community as well as for patients.
COLISEUM
HEALTH SYSTEM
More and
more, hospitals are looking into improving patient care, surgical techniques,
and post-operative care. Coliseum in Macon is one such hospital. Robin Parker,
Director of Marketing at Coliseum says, “I am proud to work for a company like
HCA who is on the cutting edge of innovative technology for women.” Mammograms
using MRI technology and robotic surgery techniques for gynecological problems
are just two of the innovations in use today. “In my opinion,” says Dr. Cameron
Pridgen of Macon, “I think the daVinci has been one of the greatest innovations
in women’s surgery.”
Innovations
at Coliseum include:
O-Arm
Imaging System: Allows surgeons to perform minimally-invasive back and neck
surgeries
iTriage app:
Allows patients to communicate directly with the ER by using the iNotify
feature
daVinci
Surgical System: Allows for surgery in dime-sized incisions using robotic arms
AirStrip OB
and Cardiology: Allows for the delivery of data such as fetal heartbeats, a mother’s
contractions, or heart information to a doctor’s mobile phone
LAP-BAND
System: Allows surgeons to perform minimally-invasive surgery for weight loss
HOUSTON
HEALTHCARE
Houston
Healthcare has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for 2012 by
HealthGrades, an independent research firm. Hospitals named in the top 100 have
been ranked in the top five percent for clinical quality for at least the last
four years based on Medicare records and patient hospitalization data,
according to the HealthGrades report. According to HealthGrades, patients at
the top 100 hospitals have a 30 percent lower chance of dying compared to all
other hospitals across 17 procedures and diagnoses.
Innovations
at Houston Healthcare include:
Epilepsy
Monitoring Unit: Offers a unique area equipped with computer-monitoring
equipment specifically designed for evaluation of seizure disorders
Women’s
Center New Patient Triage Area: Offers four rooms for patient evaluation,
keeping patient rooms in the Women’s Center for women in active labor
Video
Interpretation Service for Hearing Impaired: Offers remote video interpreting
via the internet
Girls Night
Out: Offers mammograms for women after normal business hours
New Patient
Armband System: Offers an automated bar code system for patient identification,
protection, and confidentiality
THE MEDICAL
CENTER OF CENTRAL GEORGIA
The Medical
Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) was named number 44 in the U.S. in Cardiology
and Heart Surgery by the U.S. News & World Reports. More information,
including the methodology used by U.S. News may be found at
health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.
In addition
to its notable cardiology and heart surgery, MCCG was recently approved as a
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program
Affiliate and a community cancer research site.
As a
qualified research site, MCCG will have opportunities to participate in
multi-institutional studies conducted by NCCN member institutions in an effort
to improve patient outcomes and advance medical science. NCCN affiliates
execute quality clinical research through collaborations with other member
institutions. The program is anticipated to not only expedite accrual
milestones, but also give community researchers access to innovative therapies.
“Our
selection as an NCCN Oncology Research Program Affiliate is an important step
to bring cutting edge clinical research to the central Georgia community.
Today, cancer patients often choose to receive their first treatment through a
clinical trial. These patients may be helped by that treatment before it is
widely available; and they are contributing to the overall progress in the
fight against cancer,” said Nancy White, RN, Director of Oncology Services.
In the past
12 years, more than $36 million in grants have supported cancer research at 21
NCCN member institutions. MCCG is one of six community affiliates chosen to
participate in the Affiliate Research Program initiative, thus broadening the
Oncology Research Program’s innovative treatment options for cancer patients in
their local communities. MCCG is pleased to participate in this program’s
research projects in order to bring meaningful new treatments to the medical
oncology community and cancer patients.
PHYSICIAN-GUIDED
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS
Innovations
in weight loss programs are also in great demand. There’s a new trend of
OB/Gyn’s setting up weight loss programs, and where better can a woman go after
struggling with non-physician-guided weight loss efforts than to a doctor who
already deals with sensitive health issues in your life. There are potentially
long-term physiological adjustments in the aftermath of weight gain and loss
that invite the body to regain the weight. Doctors can address these problems
as you go through their program.
One such
medically-supervised program, Medi-Weightloss Clinic, is led by Thomas E. Kehl,
M.D., OB/Gyn, in Macon. “We are very excited to offer a new weight loss program
specifically for Type 2 diabetics, in addition to our regular comprehensive
program,” states Dr. Kehl.
You will
receive the support, encouragement, and tools you need to lose weight and the
education you need to help you keep it off! Patients are given the tools they
need in all areas of their health to lose weight and transition to a healthier
lifestyle.
Cavaliere
Weight Management Center in Macon, one of the first OB/Gyn-led programs, has
provided success for many. Indeed, our own sales executive, Tammy Holloway,
says that Maria Cavaliere, M.D. and her staff were very helpful both as she
began the program and helping her learn to maintain it. “I lost 40 pounds, have
kept it off for over a year now, and feel so much better,” she said. “With
their encouragement, it is easy to make the lifestyle changes that are
necessary to lose weight.”
Whether the
innovation is minimally-invasive surgical techniques, wireless transmission of
patient data directly to health care professionals, imaging of body parts, or
new weight loss programs, medical innovations will only get more sophisticated,
and hopefully better, with time.