Doylestown Hospital's Medical Research Department is a rarity among community hospitals. The department offers patients access to state-of-the-art clinical trials and leading-edge medical technology.

Doylestown Hospital is currently participating in 30 trials studying new medications, medical devices, and treatments for cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and stroke. Twelve of these studies are examining ways to prevent, mitigate and repair heart damage.

"Clinical trials enable us to offer patients the most current treatments, often years before they're widely available," says Judy Narisi, RN, one of the hospital's medical research coordinators.

One of the current cardiac trials is studying the effectiveness of stents (wire mesh cylinders that keep blood vessels open), which are coated with medication to prevent scar tissue from forming. Another study focuses on medications that may decrease heart attack damage. The Medical Research Department screens all patients who might be eligible for a clinical trial, but the ultimate decision is the patient's.

"Patients should never feel pressured to participate in a trial," says Ms. Narisi. "We educate them about both the benefits and potential risks. If they do elect to participate, they can still withdraw at any time."

Patients who do take part in a trial may gain access to treatments that could help them significantly. These patients also help others by contributing to medical research. And, depending on the trial, the cost of treatment and testing might be provided free of charge. Doylestown Hospital's position as a research center attests to the overall quality of care, says Solomon Epstein, MD, director of the Medical Research Department.

"For a hospital to be chosen to participate in a national trial is a competitive process," he explains. "They have to show that they have the technology to do the study, as well as physicians with a track record of performing research." Dr. Epstein notes that Doylestown's clinical trials program has helped attract physicians from nationally known institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and the Cleveland Clinic.

The clinical trials program benefits more than just the patients who participate, adds Dr. Epstein. "Once a hospital establishes itself as a center for clinical research, the standard of care for the entire hospital is elevated, which translates to better care for all patients."

To learn whether you might benefit from one of the cardiac clinical trials now going on at Doylestown Hospital, call 215-345-2119.