Page 8

The Ramsay Way - 2016 Edition 2

HOSPITALS Pindara Launches Patient Video on International Back Pain Study Pindara Private Hospital has launched a patient video describing the hospital’s participation in an international low back pain study which will focus on measuring patient outcomes following spinal surgery. Caloundra Clinic Launches New Alcohol & Drug Management Service Caloundra Clinic has launched a New Alcohol and Prescription Drug Management service for the Sunshine Coast region. 8 The Ramsay Way 2016 | 02 The video was unveiled at the launch of Pindara’s participation in the study which is part of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) global collaboration to measure patient outcomes. It features the neurosurgical team at Pindara, including lead investigator Dr Leong Tan, inviting patients to participate in the international study which will evaluate changes in patient reported functional outcome following spinal surgery and benchmark these against other major international organisations. Pindara is the first Ramsay Health Care hospital to kick off the ICHOM study followed closely by North Shore Private Hospital which is also participating in the low back pain study. Ramsay Health Care is participating in six ICHOM studies in its hospitals around the globe. “Outcomes that matter most to patients are the ultimate success in health care,” said Trish Hogan CEO of Pindara Private at the launch of Pindara’s ICHOM study recently. “There can be a considerable difference between what a health professional considers a successful treatment outcome, compared to the patient. When we can achieve what matters most to the patient, we deliver true value. “Taking part in this international research is very exciting for Pindara,” she said. “It enables Pindara to contribute to important global research in low back pain, and to share with specialists from around the world in order to make improvements in the treatment of low back pain.” To view the video visit the Pindara Private website.  Now, North Shore Private Hospital has teamed up with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions – including Harvard Business School, The Boston Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, to give patients definitive answers. Under the ICHOM project (the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement), patient outcomes will be tracked post-surgery at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years – to discover the best treatments for back pain with and without sciatica (shooting nerve pain). “There is a lot of medical literature on what works for knee and hip pain, but the literature on spinal conditions is sparse,” says Neurosurgeon Dr Michael Biggs, from North Shore Private Hospital. “Currently NSP performs more than 1500 spinal surgeries a year – more than double the number in the public hospital. However this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of patients treated by surgeons, rheumatologists and pain specialists at the hospital.” He says because the data is “patient-centric” it will be totally unbiased and allow for clearer benchmarking between hospitals around the world. Fellow Neurosurgeon Dr Jonathon Ball says the study will not only look at surgical interventions but other interventional techniques – everything from cortisone injections to radiofrequency denervation – a procedure that burns the nerve to stop pain signals from the joint to the brain. “We will also be tracking outcomes of spinal cord stimulation, (which overrides pain sensations) as well as the use of narcotic and non-narcotic medications. “Medications are often a surrogate measure of the severity of pain, so tracking usage provides clearer evidence on what procedures are effective enough to reduce medication use.” Ramsay Health Care is the first organisation in Australia to partner with some of the world’s most recognised medical institutions in the not-for-profit project. For Giuseppe Guerrera, a former semi-professional footballer who underwent a three-hour spinal fusion in May, the decision to have surgery wasn’t one he took lightly. “I had stress fractures of the spine causing severe nerve impingement,” says Guerrera, an insurance officer from the Lower North Shore. “I have two young sons who also love football but I couldn’t even sit in a chair let alone throw the ball with them. “Before surgery I had my sleep constantly interrupted by shooting leg pains. “It’s still early days (one week post-surgery) but the sciatica has disappeared and if tracking my experience can help someone else on their own spinal journey I’m happy to help.”  North Shore Private Joins Global Spinal Research Program Back pain is the number one burden of pain in Australia and for decades patients have been asking the burning question – what works and what doesn’t? “The clinic has been operating for two years now and over that time our Director of Psychiatry and the medical team identified that there was a need, based on the patients that were presenting for treatment for a dedicated program that focused on treating alcohol and prescription drug addiction,” said Clinic CEO Donna Kain. The evidence-based program has been developed under the guidance of the Director of Psychiatry at Caloundra Private Clinic, Dr Jon Steinberg and will commence in July 2016. The program will be two weeks duration, patient-focused within a safe therapeutic environment and delivered by a highly trained treating team of psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing staff. Both medical and psychological treatment is evidence based focusing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and will consist of education on alcohol and substance use and their associated psychosocial issues. “As a society we are becoming more aware and people are more willing to seek help. We are making good progress, but there are still some people missing out, falling through the gaps or not getting the right care they need at the right time. Our new services aim to improve that,” Donna said. “One of our qualified health professionals will assess individuals displaying addictive behaviours. The assessment offers the opportunity to diagnose, treat and develop a treatment plan in collaboration with the person. Once an individual receives the correct treatment they begin their road to recovery. “When patients receive a diagnosis they often feel relief in knowing they are not alone and are provided with an explanation to their behaviours,” Treatment beyond the medical detoxification stage includes assessment for any concurrent mental health programs, appropriate medications which may, for example, help diminish alcohol craving, and introduction to self-help groups to maintain recovery.  Neurosurgeon Dr Leong Tan with first patient in the ICHOM trial John Tansey. ICHOM Committee at North Shore Private Hospital.


The Ramsay Way - 2016 Edition 2
To see the actual publication please follow the link above