3-D Lab gives realistic outside-looking-in view of human health

INDIANAPOLIS – Imagine a virtual journey into the depths of the human body and capturing images that can be used to help clinicians identify and treat hard-to-identify illnesses and conditions.

That’s a journey many physicians are taking to help their patients, navigating their way by the sophisticated technology found in the 3-D Lab at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. The lab – one of the few in Indiana – was created to harness the surge in technology-related computed axial tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Administered by St. Francis’ Radiology Department at its south side Indianapolis campus, the 3-D Lab is being used in a variety of ways to diagnose conditions such as blood clots, aneurysms and to assist vascular surgeons to place devices such as stents.

The technology also helps physicians probe skeletal and musculoskeletal trauma and anomalies, and helps them plan surgeries.

Through the St. Francis network, the 3-D Lab receives data from cross-sectional CT and MRI studies. Computers in the lab then produce realistic views of body systems physicians use to visualize their patients’ anatomies more comprehensively and accurately. These images can be viewed at St. Francis campuses at Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.

“Often hundreds or even thousands of CT scan images can be summarized into a smaller number of three-dimensional images with the aide of specialized workstations.” said interventional radiologist Raj Gupta, M.D. Gupta works frequently with 3-D images to help specialists, such as vascular surgeons, with planning their procedures.

But it’s not only specialists who are taking advantage of the 3-D Lab. Primary care physicians at St. Francis are increasingly using the technology to view arteries and possible pulmonary embolisms in their patients.

“Optimal 3D post processing is very reliant on the quality of CT and MRI images produced at the scanner,” said 3-D Lab Technical Coordinator Louis Rankin. “The 3D Lab has nearly developed into a separate department here in Radiology, but we still focus on putting through quality CT and MRI imaging”.

Currently, the 3-D Lab is operational around-the-clock and on-call staff members maintain virtual work stations at home.

St. Francis MDs, pharmacist honored for patient safety leadership

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Patient Safety Coalition today (Nov. 25) recognized St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers medical leaders as recipients of the coalition’s 2008 Patient Safety Hero Awards.

Awards were presented to the coalition’s co-founders, Dr. Donald J. Kerner, associate chief medical officer at St. Francis, and Dr. Glenn Bingle, vice president for medical and academic affairs at Community Health Network. Kerner serves as the coalition’s vice chair and Bingle serves as chair.

Both were specifically cited for their visionary leadership to improve patient safety to medical facilities in the Indianapolis area.

Two others from St. Francis also were among others recognized for their efforts to promote medical safety. Pulmonologist Charles E. Kinsella, M.D., and pharmacist Therese Staublin have lead a team to establish a standardized process for systematic reporting, tracking, documentation and analysis of medication errors to adopt a system-wide approach to analyze adverse events and trends across incidents.

The Patient Safety Hero awards are given to individuals or groups at each member hospital that have championed a specific patient safety project.

Established in 2003, the coalition is comprised of chief executive, medical, nursing and pharmacy officers from Indianapolis and surrounding county hospitals. In addition, there is participation by entities such as Eli Lilly and Company, WellPoint, Inc., Indiana University, Purdue University and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc. #

Operation Bright Christmas shines light on needy youngsters

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – The effects of the reeling economy are never more glaring than during the holidays – and that’s why St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is partnering with LifeBridge Community to help needy families.

Operation Bright Christmas serves families during the holidays, benefiting an estimated 200 children living in poverty in Beech Grove and Indianapolis’ south side. St. Francis has joined with LifeBridge and is now accepting donations until Dec. 18 to help these families.

Donations being accepted: new toys, new or gently used infant clothing and items, wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, ribbon, batteries, DVDs or CDs (“G” or “PG” rating only), video and board games (“G” rating only), twin size bedding, gift cards in small denominations, faith-based items, and sports toys (balls, bats, gloves, etc.).

Donors are asked not to provide clothing, or toys that are of violent and occult nature. Toys that are broken or missing pieces also will not be accepted.
Donations are being accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Spiritual Care offices at St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove, 1600 Albany St.; St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.; and St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road.

“We’re encouraging the public to join with the St. Francis family to make this holiday a little brighter for the less fortunate,” said Julia Dearing, who is helping coordinate the program at St. Francis. “Registered parents will have the opportunity to shop for the donated items and wrap them at home.”

LifeBridge Community is a faith-based ministry that seeks to instill hope in the lives of children, young adults and families through nurturing relationships and supportive services. More information about the organization is at www.lifebridge-communit

Trial seeks to decrease post-operative complication rates following rectal surgery

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Surgeons with the Kendrick Regional Center for Colon and Rectal Care at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers are testing the effectiveness of a mesh reinforcement device for patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.

It’s part of a study being conducted at 12 sites around the country, including the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, and the Mayo Clinic. The research is sponsored by W.L. Gore and Associates, a Delaware-based medical products company.

“The aim of this study is to determine if the mesh material will lead to a lower rate of permanent colostomy as well as decreasing the complication rate for this difficult procedure,” said Frederick Lane, M.D., principal investigator for the St. Francis study.

Joining Lane in the study are Olaf B. Johansen, M.D.; R. Barry Melbert, M.D.; Bridget M. Sanders, M.D.; and Dipen C. Maun, M.D. These surgeons, all of whom are members of the Colorectal Cancer Center of Excellence at St. Francis, are certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

The findings of the study are expected to be presented nationally and published in a major medical journal.

Patients currently are being enrolled. For more information, call 317-889-7906.

The Kendrick Regional Center also was recently approved to lead the Indiana University Colon and Rectal Training Program, which will train colon and rectal surgeons of the future. The training program is supported by IU as well as grants from St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and the Kendrick Foundation.

More information about the Kendrick Regional Center for Colon and Rectal Care is www.kendrickcenter.com.

St. Francis invites families to breakfast, spend time with St. Nick

INDIANAPOLIS – The St. Francis Memories to Hold program will host Breakfast with Santa 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 in the cafeteria at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (Entrance 6).

In addition to the breakfast, children can make holiday crafts and receive giveaways before meeting Santa and sharing their Christmas wish lists with him.

Parents are invited to bring their own cameras to take photographs of their children with Santa. Photographs also will be available to purchase for $1 each.

The costs to attend are $7 for adults and $3 for children 2 and older.

Those unable to attend the breakfast still can come to Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, in the cafeteria at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis.

Children will enjoy cookies and punch while talking to Santa, who will host a special story time at 3 p.m. The cost is $3 for children, which includes a photograph with Santa.

Seating at both events is limited. For reservations, call 317-782-4422.