Innovations in DBS, stroke care conference, a patient story, pituitary adenoma study and disaster preparedness.
Advancements in Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a medical procedure in which a device is implanted in the brain to deliver electrical current to specific areas in order to alleviate certain conditions. DBS has become the most commonly performed surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) since its approval by the FDA. Other FDA approved indications include essential tremor, dystonia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and epilepsy.?
“DBS is not a curative procedure but combined with medication therapy it serves as an important treatment option to lessen symptoms and enable patients with Parkinson’s to perform activities of daily living,” says?Tarannum Khan, MD, a board-certified neurologist with Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital who specializes in movement disorders.?
Dr. Khan joined Cleveland Clinic in Florida in 2006 and has seen the important progress made in caring for patients with PD, including the advancements in DBS. Innovations include the use of directional leads, new sensing technology and robotic systems for improved accuracy. Hundreds of patients have undergone the procedure at Weston Hospital since it was first offered in 2008.?
Upcoming Stroke Care Conference
Cleveland Clinic in Florida will be hosting an innovative symposium dedicated to the advancements and future directions in stroke care. Titled “Future of Stroke Care,” this symposium aims to bring together leading minds in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, rehabilitation and technology to foster an environment of learning, collaboration and innovation.??
This symposium will spotlight the latest updates in management of the entire array of cerebrovascular diseases and to improve patient outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating innovative practices in clinical care. Topics will include the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on prevention and diagnosis of strokes, review of state-of-the-art treatments for complex vascular malformations and cerebrovascular disease, the current and future state of unique stroke patient populations and more.??
The sessions will include an interactive panel discussion with questions and answers, allowing for?an interdisciplinary approach to optimize patient care. This conference is directed to a national audience of practitioners and health care professionals.?
'Stroke' of Luck in Patients' Intervention
Samanta Vasconcellos was in the right place at the right time when she experienced her stroke. She was at a doctor’s appointment at the Krupa Center, which is right across from Weston Hospital.?
At Weston Hospital, Samanta was met by Amre Nouh, MD, a neurologist and Chair of the?Neurology Department.? “As a comprehensive stroke center, we were ready to go,” Dr. Nouh says.??
Dr. Nouh and the stroke team identified a blockage in the middle cerebral artery and gave Samanta clot-busting medication. She was then moved to the neurointerventional radiology suite where?Mubashir Pervez, MD, a neurointerventionalist, and his team removed the blood clot and restored blood flow to the area.?
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“I’m extremely grateful for the team,” Samanta says. “After the stroke I was walking normally. It was a Christmas miracle.”?
Dr. Nouh says the odds of a favorable outcome and recovery are directly related to how quickly the stroke is treated while it is happening. Samanta’s stroke was caught and treated early, which was a big factor in her recovery. Read more about Samanta’s story.??
Pituitary Adenoma Health Equity Study
Pituitary adenomas make up approximately 10% of primary brain tumors, and about 10,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Though relatively common in the field of neurosurgery, there is very little information on the impact healthcare disparities have on the care patients receive for these benign -- but not harmless -- tumors.?
Researchers with Cleveland Clinic in Florida conducted a systematic literature review, which they believe to be the first of its kind, to examine various aspects of race, socioeconomic status (SES), age, and gender disparities in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Their findings were?published?in the November 2023 issue of?Neurosurgical Focus.?
Some of the key findings include disparities in surgery recommendations, postoperative course and outcomes, admission, and hospital charges based on race, income, insurance, age, and gender.??
“Understanding the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion factors is imperative in our pursuit of optimizing patient care,” says?Hamid Borghei-Razavi, MD, Director of the Minimally Invasive Cranial and Pituitary Surgery Program at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital and the study’s senior author.??
Disaster Response at Cleveland Clinic in Martin and St. Lucie Counties
Like all Cleveland Clinic facilities, Martin Health (CCMH) – a group of three hospitals on Florida’s east coast, including Martin North Hospital, Martin South Hospital, and Tradition Hospital – relies on a robust emergency preparedness plan that covers both internal and external hazards, including bomb threats, active shooter situations, fires, severe weather, utility service disruptions, hazardous materials events and community mass casualty incidents.?
CCMH has developed six Incident Management Teams (IMTs). All IMT positions are redundantly staffed — usually three deep — and team members are cross-trained so they can fill multiple roles. Regular training exercises ensure staff readiness.?
“It’s wonderful to be part of an organization that’s willing to put so much time into emergency preparedness,” says Christine Tea, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CNOR, FACHE, Senior Director of Nursing at Martin North and Surgical Nursing Services across CCMH. “We are continually reviewing our resources and adjusting our approach. During a disaster, you may see a heightened energy level among the clinical team, but there’s no panic. Everyone knows what to do and how to do it.”?
Learn more about referring your patients to Cleveland Clinic in Florida.?
Your team is leading the way in healthcare innovation. And your work spans from groundbreaking Parkinson’s and stroke treatments to tackling health disparities and disaster preparedness.