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14 | Health Matters: Providence St. Joseph Hospital Clinical Trials Are a Win-Win With your help, we can provide better care for the whole community. A t Providence St. Joseph Hospital, our team is dedicated to offering you and your family the most up-to- date treatments for your medical concerns. A large part of this work involves the hospital's Clinical Trials Program. It's one of the most innovative and forward-thinking services we provide. Working together with the community, we're making great strides in advancing the field of medicine. This extremely successful program, established in 2004, is run by Joscelyn Green, RN, the hospital's cancer, cardiology and vascular research manager. The information resulting from these trials plays a critical part in improving your care and discovering groundbreaking research. "We're constantly looking for the next best thing to make sure we're giving the best care possible," says Green. This typically involves studying new drugs and trying out new devices. "It could also be employing a device that's been on the market for a while, but using it in a different way," she explains. COMFORT PROVIDED AROUND THE CLOCK Currently, there are 33 trials taking place at Providence St. Joseph, many involving devices. A patient either receives the standard treatment or is given the new device. Recruiting patients is a big part of the program, and Green says they 've been very lucky in that respect. "We hardly ever get a no." The majority of those involved are referred by the hospital's doctors or come through the emergency department. If you become a patient taking part in a trial, it not only provides you with a chance to improve your health and way of life, but Green stresses your participation is also very generous. "You are helping to move the health field into the future and keeping St. Joseph in the forefront of medical innovation. Patients are doing this whether or not they get the new device or cutting-edge treatment, because the data we extract is crucial. It's so selfless of them to sign that consent to take part in a trial." A very comforting aspect of the proces is the one-on-one attention you receive, whenever you need it. "Being a participant means you always have a research nurse or coordinator there to help you, to look out for you. No matter what happens in the study, you have one of us," says Green. LEADERSHIP OFFERS STRONG SUPPORT In addition to Green, the department has one staff member who handles the study documents and two clinical coordinators who work directly with patients. Green is grateful for the consistent, caring support she receives from the hospital. She says management understands how critical it is to make sure her team has all the resources they require to be there for their patients whenever needed. Green practices this same kindness when it comes to managing her staff. "It's so important to keep my staff happy. They give so much of themselves every day that they can't come to work with their cup empty." When it comes to all patients and volunteers, Green strives to adhere to the hospital's mission daily. That means practicing justice, compassion and excellence in everything she does. It's exactly the type of care we want to make sure you're receiving every time you visit Providence St. Joseph Hospital. Visit research.providence.org/ clinical-trials or call 844-925-0945 for more information. HEART & VASCULAR CARE ISSUE

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