Research
It is said that the responsibility of leadership is to look into the future and ask the right questions. Very early in the history of Saint Francis, leaders began to ask how the hospital could make a real difference for patients with then incurable illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. What now seems like a straightforward question was neither easy nor straightforward at the time.
Today, hundreds of medical research studies are being conducted through Saint Francis Health System and its physicians. Studies related to cancer detection and treatment, heart disease therapies and interventions, the genetic components and drug regimens for mental illness, the prediction and treatment of diabetes, the importance of early intervention for stroke and many others are currently ongoing.
Research at Saint Francis has led to many “firsts” in treatments for Oklahomans. Some of these early “firsts” include:
• First community hospital in the United States to serve as a full institutional member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), a move that brought National Cancer Institute sponsored clinical trials to our community – 1975.
• First in Oklahoma to use clot-busting drugs for heart patients - 1981.
• First balloon angioplasty (an interventional procedure for heart attack) performed in Oklahoma - 1981.
• First in Tulsa to use brain mapping technology - 1985.
• First bone marrow transplant in Tulsa - 1987.
• The first Oklahoma hospital to offer the fetal fibronectin (fFN) test that determines a woman's risk for premature delivery - September 1999.
• First aortic stent graft in Oklahoma (a new technology for treating aortic aneurysms) - December 1999.
Saving lives and improving the health and well-being of our community – this is what the physicians and staff of Saint Francis Health System are all about. We are always hearing about exciting, new medical advancements in the news. What's even more exciting is to know many of these new things are happening right here in Tulsa at Saint Francis Health System.
In critical areas like cancer, heart, kids and mental health – the doctors at Saint Francis Health System are saving lives and giving hope through research. They are working hard to find ways to prevent diabetes, cure breathing problems for newborns, discover how certain drugs affect cancer cells and generally improve patient care. From surgery to family practice, the latest research in many important areas is at the fingertips of Saint Francis doctors, whether they work at Saint Francis Hospital, one of the many Warren Clinic offices, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis or Saint Francis Hospital at Broken Arrow. This commitment to research is one way to make sure patients will have tomorrow’s medicine today.
Saint Francis Health System has numerous active clinical trails. Following are some common questions about patient participation in clinical trials.
What is a clinical trial? Clinical trials provide patients with access to investigational treatments and therapies. Many times new investigational therapies are compared to standard treatments. Standard treatment is the way patients are currently treated.
Who monitors a clinical trial? An Institutional Review Board (IRB) composed of medical professionals and members of the community reviews studies to ensure the rights of human participants are protected.
Who can participate? Studies at Saint Francis are open to people throughout the region. Because national research is conducted locally, patients have the opportunity to remain in their own community while accessing the latest and most innovative treatments available.
All clinical trials have eligibility requirements to protect the patients and ensure that the study results are accurate. Each trial enrolls patients with certain types and stages of the diseases being studied and certain health status.
What are the benefits of joining a clinical trial? Patients are given as much information as is known about the risks, benefits and procedures of a trial before they enroll. If a new treatment is successful, clinical trial participants are the first to benefit. In addition, patients are closely monitored for any changes in their health status. A person may leave a study at any time he or she chooses.
What is required of a clinical trial participant? Participants become partners with the medical staff in working toward the goals of the study. A participant’s responsibilities include time, cooperation and effort. There is no cost to the patient.
What does this mean to our community? Participation in clinical trials provides an opportunity to share information and technology throughout the community and among physicians. The community is able to play a vital role in detecting, treating and preventing diseases in future generations by contributing to the body of medical knowledge of what treatments are proven to be safe and affective.
Talk with your physician about research trials that might be beneficial to you.
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