I am pleased to announce the 10-year anniversary of Science Care. Ten years ago this month, Science Care began as a small company meeting the needs of people wishing to donate to science and medical researchers and educators who needed human tissue. Today, it is an industry leading, multi-accredited organization in a unique position to make a significant contribution to improvements in patient healthcare.
I know of no other organization that is so committed to the pursuit of quality and making a positive impact. It is an honor to be part of such a unique organization.
Click HERE to watch a video featuring Science Care’s founder and CEO, Jim Rogers.
Click HERE for the press release celebrating Science Care’s 10-year anniversary.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Is technology in the surgical suite really helping patients or is it time for surgeons to go back to the basics?
A scalpel and surgical thread used to be the primary tools of surgeons. Now the surgical suite looks more like a sci-fi movie complete with HD monitors, robots and computer equipment galore. Surgeons continue to expand their use of minimally invasive procedures to avoid large incisions and associated tissue damage in an effort to reduce complications and time to patient discharge. But are these technological advancements really all good? New data suggests that all options from invasive surgery to laparoscopic and robotic procedures must be carefully considered as not all patients seem to benefit from advanced procedures. Surgeons may require additional education to be able to fully consider their options and to incorporate recent clinical evidence into their practice.
Why do surgeons use minimally invasive procedures?
Minimally invasive procedures can reduce the size of the incision that is required to gain access to the tissue of concern. Since tissue damage caused by the surgery itself can be significantly reduced, many patients experience a reduction in postoperative pain and a shorter time to discharge. Another benefit is that some patients who might not be able to tolerate a typical surgical procedure due to age, advanced disease or poor health status, can be considered as candidates for minimally invasive procedures.
Both laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are minimally invasive procedures but robotic technology may expand the view of the surgical site, provide greater accuracy, and control compared to laparoscopic instruments. Improved accuracy is thought to reduce surgeon-induced damage, blood loss and scarring.
Although the new techniques have been touted as a revolution, new data suggests that surgeons must carefully consider the actual vs. perceived patient benefit. Patients with endometriosis, for example, did not benefit from the use of robotic surgery and their clinical outcomes were comparable to non-robotic procedures. The actual time in the surgical suite was increased as was fatigue reported by the surgeons.
Don’t blame the robots
While it may be true that the use of advanced technology is on the rise and it is an attractive option for surgeons, new technology is not the only answer. Many studies have demonstrated that experience matters; the more familiar a surgeon is with a technique the better they perform. Experienced surgeons armed only with a scalpel can have clinical outcomes similar to or better than their colleagues using robots. The question is, can experienced surgeons armed with robots improve clinical outcomes?
The take home message
Technology is here to stay and its use in the surgical suite will continue to increase over time. However, it is not technology alone that will improve patient outcomes, it is technology coupled with experienced, trained surgeons. Advanced hands-on training using human tissue is one way for surgeons to both gain experience and fully incorporate technological advances into their practice.
Every patient is unique—patients with advanced disease may benefit from technology in ways that patients in early stages may not. The decision for each patient should be left to the trained surgeon.
Why do surgeons use minimally invasive procedures?
Minimally invasive procedures can reduce the size of the incision that is required to gain access to the tissue of concern. Since tissue damage caused by the surgery itself can be significantly reduced, many patients experience a reduction in postoperative pain and a shorter time to discharge. Another benefit is that some patients who might not be able to tolerate a typical surgical procedure due to age, advanced disease or poor health status, can be considered as candidates for minimally invasive procedures.
Both laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are minimally invasive procedures but robotic technology may expand the view of the surgical site, provide greater accuracy, and control compared to laparoscopic instruments. Improved accuracy is thought to reduce surgeon-induced damage, blood loss and scarring.
Although the new techniques have been touted as a revolution, new data suggests that surgeons must carefully consider the actual vs. perceived patient benefit. Patients with endometriosis, for example, did not benefit from the use of robotic surgery and their clinical outcomes were comparable to non-robotic procedures. The actual time in the surgical suite was increased as was fatigue reported by the surgeons.
Don’t blame the robots
While it may be true that the use of advanced technology is on the rise and it is an attractive option for surgeons, new technology is not the only answer. Many studies have demonstrated that experience matters; the more familiar a surgeon is with a technique the better they perform. Experienced surgeons armed only with a scalpel can have clinical outcomes similar to or better than their colleagues using robots. The question is, can experienced surgeons armed with robots improve clinical outcomes?
The take home message
Technology is here to stay and its use in the surgical suite will continue to increase over time. However, it is not technology alone that will improve patient outcomes, it is technology coupled with experienced, trained surgeons. Advanced hands-on training using human tissue is one way for surgeons to both gain experience and fully incorporate technological advances into their practice.
Every patient is unique—patients with advanced disease may benefit from technology in ways that patients in early stages may not. The decision for each patient should be left to the trained surgeon.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
SCIENCE CARE OPTIMIZED EDUCATION™ 2010
Science Care announces two Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses for September 2010, the first courses to employ Optimized Education™. As the first non-transplant tissue bank to be accredited by both the American Association of Tissue Banks and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, this year’s innovative CME program has been developed by new professional education leadership and the introduction of Science Care Optimized Education™.
Science Care Optimized Education™ incorporates adult educational principles, hands-on interaction and time-aligned reinforcement with targeted follow up education to improve learning and retention. Optimized Education™ is associated with accelerated incorporation of clinical knowledge and improvement in clinical performance and healthcare delivery.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) and Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy (PDT), both scheduled for September 2010, will feature an interactive lecture session and a hands-on competency assessment module and demonstration using human tissue.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is an endoscopic procedure that facilitates placement of a stomach feeding tube as a long-term means of providing nutrition to patients who cannot productively take food orally. Compared with traditional surgical gastrostomy, PEG takes less time to complete, has a reduced risk for adverse events, and can be performed with a significant reduction in cost. Attendees will learn to identify appropriate candidates for PEG, manage complications and demonstrate proper procedural preparation and technique. In addition, participants will review privileging, credentialing and billing procedures that can be immediately applied to their practice.
Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy (PDT) is the placement of a tracheostomy tube (breathing tube) without direct surgical visualization of the trachea. This procedure is considered minimally invasive, and may be easily performed in the intensive care unit or at the patient’s bedside. This may avoid difficulties associated with scheduling an operating room and anesthesiology teams for critical care patients. Attendees will learn to identify appropriate candidates for PDT, manage complications and demonstrate proper procedural preparation and technique. In addition, participants will review privileging, credentialing and billing procedures that can be immediately applied to their practice.
Both of these courses were planned in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) with the intention of increasing the learners’ competence, performance and patient outcomes. The expert faculty was selected for their clinical expertise in the area of critical care procedures and prominent standing in their field. These courses will be executed free of bias from any commercial supporter in order for learners to provide the best medical care for their patients.
To register for one or both of these courses, please visit http://www.sciencecare.com/calendar.htm or call 602.288.0063. To read about the healthcare outcomes associated with this activity, visit http://humantissue.blogspot.com/2010/05/continuing-medical-education-for.html
For more information about Science Care Continuing Medical Education, please visit www.sciencecare.com/CME.htm, email cme@sciencecare.com, or call 800.590.8132.
Science Care
Science Care (http://www.sciencecare.com/) sets the standard of excellence for the donation and responsible use of human tissues for medical research, training, and professional education. Science Care’s program contributes to new breakthroughs and developments in medicine, including advanced physician training, development of new medical devices and safer, more effective treatments for patients. Each development provides hope for a healthier future and enhances the generous bequests of our donors.
Science Care is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), licensed by the state of New York Department of Health, and is an approved provider for the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. For more information about Science Care contact 800.417.3747 or info@sciencecare.com.
Science Care Optimized Education™ incorporates adult educational principles, hands-on interaction and time-aligned reinforcement with targeted follow up education to improve learning and retention. Optimized Education™ is associated with accelerated incorporation of clinical knowledge and improvement in clinical performance and healthcare delivery.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) and Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy (PDT), both scheduled for September 2010, will feature an interactive lecture session and a hands-on competency assessment module and demonstration using human tissue.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is an endoscopic procedure that facilitates placement of a stomach feeding tube as a long-term means of providing nutrition to patients who cannot productively take food orally. Compared with traditional surgical gastrostomy, PEG takes less time to complete, has a reduced risk for adverse events, and can be performed with a significant reduction in cost. Attendees will learn to identify appropriate candidates for PEG, manage complications and demonstrate proper procedural preparation and technique. In addition, participants will review privileging, credentialing and billing procedures that can be immediately applied to their practice.
Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy (PDT) is the placement of a tracheostomy tube (breathing tube) without direct surgical visualization of the trachea. This procedure is considered minimally invasive, and may be easily performed in the intensive care unit or at the patient’s bedside. This may avoid difficulties associated with scheduling an operating room and anesthesiology teams for critical care patients. Attendees will learn to identify appropriate candidates for PDT, manage complications and demonstrate proper procedural preparation and technique. In addition, participants will review privileging, credentialing and billing procedures that can be immediately applied to their practice.
Both of these courses were planned in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) with the intention of increasing the learners’ competence, performance and patient outcomes. The expert faculty was selected for their clinical expertise in the area of critical care procedures and prominent standing in their field. These courses will be executed free of bias from any commercial supporter in order for learners to provide the best medical care for their patients.
To register for one or both of these courses, please visit http://www.sciencecare.com/calendar.htm or call 602.288.0063. To read about the healthcare outcomes associated with this activity, visit http://humantissue.blogspot.com/2010/05/continuing-medical-education-for.html
For more information about Science Care Continuing Medical Education, please visit www.sciencecare.com/CME.htm, email cme@sciencecare.com, or call 800.590.8132.
Science Care
Science Care (http://www.sciencecare.com/) sets the standard of excellence for the donation and responsible use of human tissues for medical research, training, and professional education. Science Care’s program contributes to new breakthroughs and developments in medicine, including advanced physician training, development of new medical devices and safer, more effective treatments for patients. Each development provides hope for a healthier future and enhances the generous bequests of our donors.
Science Care is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), licensed by the state of New York Department of Health, and is an approved provider for the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. For more information about Science Care contact 800.417.3747 or info@sciencecare.com.
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