RiverBend hospital part of new era of health care.Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By John Haughom For The Register-Guard Humankind is on the verge On the Verge (or The Geography of Yearning) is a play written by Eric Overmyer. It makes extensive use of esoteric language and pop culture references from the late nineteenth century to 1955. of gaining immense new power to heal. The greatest advantage to a new Sacred Heart Medical Center Sacred Heart Medical Center may refer to: In the United States:
Patients will soon be presented with dramatic new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. Health care will be more effective, less invasive and safer. A few examples illustrate the power of what is to come. Growing understanding of genetics and the human genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. will lead to new genetic tests offering earlier, more precise and more extensive diagnosis of disease or susceptibility to disease. It will also lead to better prevention and a greater number of more effective therapeutic interventions that are specifically tailored to the individual patient. This will offer hope to many patients with chronic diseases for which no good options currently exist. Knowledge of stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young and related biotechnology offers the possibility of regenerating re·gen·er·ate v. re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing, re·gen·er·ates v.tr. 1. To reform spiritually or morally. 2. To form, construct, or create anew, especially in an improved state. tissues and organs that were previously irreplaceable or irreparable ir·rep·a·ra·ble adj. Impossible to repair, rectify, or amend: irreparable harm; irreparable damages. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin . Scientific knowledge of cell biology Cell biology The study of the activities, functions, properties, and structures of cells. Cells were discovered in the middle of the seventeenth century after the microscope was invented. , tissue growth and the tissue scaffolds cells use to form organs has progressed to a point where it is theoretically possible to engineer organs such as hearts, livers and kidneys. Tissue engineers have already developed commercially viable forms of skin, blood, bone and cartilage cartilage (kär`təlĭj), flexible semiopaque connective tissue without blood vessels or nerve cells. It forms part of the skeletal system in humans and in other vertebrates, and is also known as gristle. . New organ assistance devices will offer hope to patients with failing organs. Advances in image-guided surgery Image-guided surgery is the general term used for any surgical procedure where the surgeon uses indirect visualization to operate, i.e., by employing imaging instruments in real time, such as fiber optic guides, internal video cameras, flexible or rigid endoscopes, ultrasonography, and robotics will propel surgery to be increasingly less invasive and safer. Coupled with advances in mobile computing Using a computing device while in transit. Mobile computing implies wireless transmission, but wireless transmission does not necessarily imply mobile computing. Fixed wireless applications use satellites, radio systems and lasers to transmit between permanent objects such as buildings , wireless technologies and the Internet, sophisticated new patient sensors will allow patients to take a more active role in their care and support advanced forms of remote patient management. These new technologies, and many others, promise to revolutionize health care. Preparing for this future will require careful planning and hard work. It will also call for updated facilities. Hospitals designed for 20th century care are not able to meet this 21st century need. The new hospital at RiverBend, as well as a significantly upgraded Hilyard Street campus, will be designed to allow physicians and staff to effectively use these new technologies while also providing a healing environment healing environment, n any circumstances that promote recovery from people in the direction of wholeness and healing. for patients and their families. As important as the new facilities are, however, it will ultimately be people who will bring this new vision of care to reality. Literally hundreds of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and others have worked tirelessly to ensure that the hospital's design integrates the new technology. Moreover, PeaceHealth's leadership recognizes that strong, collaborative relationships with community physicians will be required if we are to be successful in building this new future. We are also working hard to train and attract the highly skilled work force that will be required to meet the community's needs. Because many of the emerging technologies are so advanced, they will also require collaboration with the academic community. That's why PeaceHealth has been forging a meaningful relationship with the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. and with Oregon Health & Science University. This affiliation will offer the research, education and training opportunities that will attract and retain the high-quality care providers required to support these new care possibilities. Most of all, PeaceHealth recognizes that we must effectively cooperate with the community to ensure that the health system we create meets patients' needs and desires. Only together can we realize this new future. It is important that we all recognize the importance of this work. Along with education and public safety, a high-quality, affordable health system meets one of any community's most important needs. If we are to create a positive future for care in our community, we must see what is just over the horizon. If we do this well, we can create the community health system we all need. And it will be an exciting journey along the way. John Haughom, M.D., is a senior vice president of PeaceHealth. He has lived and worked in Eugene for more than 25 years. |
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