| DID YOU KNOW... | September is
National Pain Awareness Month.
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| VIEW HARTLEY MEDICAL'S NEW EQUIPMENT SLIDESHOW | |
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| Neurostimulation of the DRG |
I also attended some of the other lectures and was frankly amazed at the wealth of information, particularly that provided in a presentation entitled "Novel Targets for Neurostimulation: Physiology of the Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)."
The presentation began with an in-depth discussion of the Dorsal Root Ganglion - a bundle of cells extending out from the spinal
Cord - by Robert Levy, MD, PhD. This talk was followed by an equally fascinating 30-minute overview by Dr. Grigsby. It showcased a 10-patient study currently being conducted in the U.S. - the first ever involving neurostimulation of the DRG for the purpose of reducing peripheral nerve pain. Dr. Grigsby walked through an application wherein a lead was inserted through the vertebrae and electrical stimulation applied directly to the DRG, thereby altering conductivity and eliminating the patient's pain.
It was, in a word, phenomenal. Science fiction becoming science fact. |
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ABOUT HARTLEY MEDICAL | The national leader in intra-spinal therapy, Hartley Medical specializes in the compounding of quality sterile pharmaceuticals for infusion therapy clients throughout the United States. Owned and directed by William A. Stuart RPh, acknowledged pioneer in the field of pharmaceutical sterile compounding - Hartley, prior to its national expansion, established itself as the one of the most successful and professionally distinguished pharmacies in the state of California.
We now serve over 400 leading pain physicians and premier health care institutions across the nation.
Visit our web site |
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 Welcome
IMPRESSIONS, INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATION:
THE NAPA PAIN CONFERENCE Last month I attended and participated as faculty in Dr. Eric Grigsby's Napa Pain Conference (NPC). Dr. Grigsby's vision is to discuss and exchange cutting edge clinical knowledge in a warm and collegial environment. This issue of our newsletter is focused on the NPC which was in-depth and inspirational. As Dr. Grigsby says, "The conference is like a garden. Nurture it, and it continues to grow." Please consider attending future events for both your professional development as well as the opportunities to get to know others. All the best,
P.S. We want to hear your comments and feedback. Send us an e-mail and let us know what you think - and what you'd like to see in future issues. |
PHARMACOLOGY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF STERILE COMPOUNDING FOR INTRATHECAL MEDICATIONS
| I was privileged to present a lecture on pharmacology and sterile compounding issues with the renowned Dr. Lisa J. Stearns - one of our leading authorities on cancer pain management from Scottsdale, AZ.
A primary focus of Dr. Stearns' and my discussion was what doctors need to know about their pharmaceutical provider. Due diligence is imperative. It is an absolutely necessity for doctors to carefully investigate and confirm the quality assurance claims of their pharmacist. Bottom line: A pharmacy must be properly designed for the safe compounding of sterile intrathecal medications - emphasis on environmental monitoring and knowledge of IT pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Stearns cautioned the audience of assembled pain care professionals that all pharmacies are not created equal...that physicians must ask questions about quality assurance...and perform a site visit to affirm that the answers are not only therightones, but true. This approach is recommended for optimal safety and is expressly in the patient's best interest.
NOTE:
Hartley Medical warmly welcomes these inquiries. If your pharmacist
doesn't...make sure you follow up with visual confirmation.
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Hartley Medical staff at the NPC.  | |
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HEALTH ROOTS.
HOW, AND WHY |
The hands-down climax of the conference occurred on Saturday evening. I attended a "Wine Cave Dinner" - a fund raiser for Dr. Grigsby and his wife, Dr. Mary Rocca's foundation "Health Roots." THE HEALTH ROOTS FOUNDATION- AN OVERVIEW
The mission of this foundation is to provide support -- advocacy, health education, pain treatment and medical care -- for under-served communities in the United States and abroad. The Foundation also aims to assist with community development to encourage sustainable improvements in health care to at-risk populations.
The foundation's most recent work is in Malawi -- a small, land-locked country of about 12 million people in Southeast Africa. Malawi is a very poor country with a rudimentary health system. Ninety percent of the population lives in villages with no electricity, poor access to clean water, and marginal nutrition.
Malawi is also in the midst of the AIDS pandemic -- with nearly 20% of the population affected by the AIDS virus. Most of these patients die due to lack of basic health care and poor availability of the medicines to treat AIDS. Our mission in Malawi is to assist in provision of palliative care for patients at the end of life.
For more information about Health Roots, visit healthroots.org. To make a donation, please email or call 707-252-9660.The dinner included wine tasting (courtesy of Hafner Vineyards) and a number of "snapshot" Poster presentations, including my own study on sterile integrity and safe dispensing of intrathecal pharmaceuticals and Medtronic on emerging new patient-safe technology. The emotional moment of the evening, however, came when Dr. Grigsby asked five of the faculty members to personally address the question "Why do you do what you do?"
Each arose in turn to address the group with a very personal story. They shared openly and compellingly their commitment to relieving pain. Each account was a passionate outpouring of heartfelt emotion, sincere devotion and enduring dedication to the relief of man's suffering. There were very few dry eyes in the house. Speakers were eloquent for all of us...for the risks and sacrifices and commitment we all make in the furtherance of what we do. I was proud to be a part of it all...and I wanted to share that feeling, that strong, forward-forging heartbeat, with all of you. I also want to extend an open invitation to you, our readers. Please share with me your "why" - why you do what you do. Send it to me via e-mail and help us here at Hartley to create a running dialog in this newsletter - one that provides insights into the motivation, inspiration and uniqueness of pain care/pain management professionals like yourselves. I look forward to hearing from all of you out there.
PS - The Napa Pain Conference is really something special - and it just keeps getting better every year. Please, mark next year's dates on your calendar now -- and make plans to attend the 2011 Napa Pain Conference.
Meritage Conference Center and Resort here.  | |
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Disclaimer. The information contained in this publication is provided "as is" and without warranty, express or implied. Hartley Medical assumes no responsibility for any damages of any kind resulting from the procedures contained herein.
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