Clinical trials help DRHS patients experience the possibilities of today's medicine.
from Better Health magazine, Fall, 2003
The "miracle" medications. The most effective treatments. They all have one thing in common. They all began with clinical trials at hospitals.
Danville Regional health System is currently participating in more than a dozen clinical trials in oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, neurology, and vascular medicine
How do patients benefit by clinical trials?
Patients have access to new treatments before they're widely available Patients may receive new medications not yet on the market Patients are closely monitored by a research team Patients receive the expertise of doctors, researchers, and other health professionals Clinical trials are done on a purely voluntary basis, and require informed patient consent
Perhaps the area most often associated with clinical trials in the public mind is oncology. Danville Regional is currently participating in trials concerning breast cancer and prostate cancer.
"Sometimes trials involve new medications, sometimes new combinations of medicine, sometimes new sequences of chemotherapy and radiation," said Deana Mills, RN, Clinical Radiation Coordinator.
"An interesting trial we're participating in, and for which we're actively seeking participants, is a study that might help prevent prostate cancer in men over 50. We have four groups, and each is getting a different combination of selenium, vitamin E, and placebo. If you're a male over 50 and would like to participate, call the Center for Radiation Oncology at 454-799-4592."
April Hardy, RN, ACRP, was an orthopedic nurse before becoming one of three Danville Regional nurses certified as research professionals. "Among the most rewarding parts of doing clinical trials is the opportunity to spend extended time following our patients' progress," she said. "Before, I only saw patients in the hospital during acute care. Now, I stay with their case for two years or more. It's very satisfying, and I get very attached to my patients."
Danville Regional, in conjunction with Danville Orthopedic Clinic, is now participating in orthopedic studies regarding osteoarthritis, hip replacement, hip fractures, and ankle fractures.
How is Danville Regional selected for a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are sponsored most frequently by pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. They want to know that partner hospitals have research certified nurses, and Danville Regional has three. They want investigating physicians who have clinical trial experience, and many Danville Regional doctors are eager to participate.
Since the integrity of the study hinges on the reliability of the data, it's important that all paperwork and verification be handled without error. Representatives of the FDA or sponsoring companies may check on the study at any time, and they can shut a trial down without notice if procedures are not in compliance.
"Danville Regional is often selected because of our excellent physicians, certified nurses, and extensive experience with research," said Kim Gibson, RN, CPHQ, Director of Medical Quality Services. "For the hospital, it's an opportunity to practice state of the art medicine. For patients, it's the chance to get treatment right here in Dan River Region that's on par with any research hospital in the country."
Patients have access to new treatments before they're widely available
Perhaps the area most often associated with clinical trials in the public mind is oncology. Danville Regional is currently participating in trials concerning breast cancer and prostate cancer.
"Sometimes trials involve new medications, sometimes new combinations of medicine, sometimes new sequences of chemotherapy and radiation," said Deana Mills, RN, Clinical Radiation Coordinator.
April Hardy, RN, ACRP, was an orthopedic nurse before becoming one of three Danville Regional nurses certified as research professionals. "Among the most rewarding parts of doing clinical trials is the opportunity to spend extended time following our patients' progress," she said. "Before, I only saw patients in the hospital during acute care. Now, I stay with their case for two years or more. It's very satisfying, and I get very attached to my patients."
Danville Regional, in conjunction with Danville Orthopedic Clinic, is now participating in orthopedic studies regarding osteoarthritis, hip replacement, hip fractures, and ankle fractures.
How is Danville Regional selected for a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are sponsored most frequently by pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. They want to know that partner hospitals have research certified nurses, and Danville Regional has three. They want investigating physicians who have clinical trial experience, and many Danville Regional doctors are eager to participate.
Since the integrity of the study hinges on the reliability of the data, it's important that all paperwork and verification be handled without error. Representatives of the FDA or sponsoring companies may check on the study at any time, and they can shut a trial down without notice if procedures are not in compliance.
"Danville Regional is often selected because of our excellent physicians, certified nurses, and extensive experience with research," said Kim Gibson, RN, CPHQ, Director of Medical Quality Services. "For the hospital, it's an opportunity to practice state of the art medicine. For patients, it's the chance to get treatment right here in Dan River Region that's on par with any research hospital in the country."