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Media Contact:
Tim Ahlers, Director of Marketing and Community Relations
319-688-7340 or e-mail: tim.ahlers@mercyic.org
BENEFITS OF CLINICAL TRIALS NOW FOUND IN
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SETTING
June 4, 2007/Iowa City, IA: The Heart Failure Program at Mercy Iowa City is now offering a new benefit to individuals living with heart failure: the opportunity to take part in clinical trials.
“This is important because we are bringing clinical research to a community hospital setting,” said cardiologist Ron Oren, MD, program director. “These projects are usually available only at larger hospitals.”
Clinical trials, six in all, have been available at Mercy Iowa City for six months. They include a variety of heart failure research areas, from improving home monitoring for patients to investigating novel medications.
Some of the trials are funded by the National Institutes of Health, others by private pharmaceutical firms. There is no cost to patients to take part, and in some cases travel reimbursement if available.
The length of participation in a trial can vary from one week to several years.
Working with Dr. Oren are nurse care coordinators Carla Pies, Becky Crane, and Amy Becker. Combined they have more than 30 years of experience in conducting such trials and have taken part in more than 100 separate projects.
“We offer several different programs and try to match patients and clinical trials very carefully,” said Dr. Oren. “Participation in these programs is not appropriate or useful for every patient. But selected patients can benefit from the very close observation that the trial requires.”
More information about taking part in clinical trials:
- Most clinical trials involve medications that have been studied extensively and are in the late stages of clinical development. This means much is already known about their use.
- Many individuals enjoy the sense of participation and the possibility of helping future patients that comes with clinical trials.
- Patients can benefit from the very close observation that is involved with the requirements of a clinical trial.
- There is no charge to patients, and travel reimbursement is sometimes available.
- Clinical trials give the health care community an opportunity to learn about therapies that are likely to become standard in the near future. Thus, when a new therapy is available, health care providers are familiar with its development and have a better understanding of its risks and benefits.
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