Price Transparency
Genetics Team Attends International Meeting in China

Genetics Team Attends International Meeting in China

by | Apr 10, 2018 | Research & Innovation

Staff from Scottish Rite Hospital travel near and far to participate in medical conferences to share their most recent research and learn from other experts in the field. Last week, members from our genetics research team were in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China to attend the International Consortium for Spinal Genetics, Development and Disease (ICSGDD) conference. The ICSGDD includes two groups who combined after last year’s inaugural international conference, “Genomic Approaches to Understanding and Treating Scoliosis.” The hospital led and largely organized this three-day, two-part meeting with the first half in Shenzhen hosted by the University of Hong Kong and the second half in Guangzhou hosted by Sun Yat Sen University Hospital.

The conference included faculty and presenters from across the world who have been selected to provide the latest innovations within scoliosis genetic research. Scottish Rite Hospital’s Director of Molecular Genetics Carol Wise, Ph.D. is one of three conference chairpersons. As a leader and co-founder of ICSGDD, she understands its significance and the impact it could have for patients diagnosed with scoliosis. “This group has made great strides over the past year to bring better treatment for complex forms of scoliosis,” says Wise. “The ICSGDD conference is unique because it brings together experts in scoliosis genetic research from different areas of the world. The diversity of the group cultivates collaboration and in-depth discussions to better understand these conditions.”

This international conference is one of many that the hospital is actively involved with each year. As a research and teaching institution, it is important for staff to learn from fellow medical professionals and share their expertise, both locally and internationally, to ultimately provide the best care possible to our patients.

Learn more about the hospital’s Sarah M. & Charles E. Seay Center for Musculoskeletal Research.

Medical Staff Attend the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis

Medical Staff Attend the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis

by | Nov 15, 2017 | Research & Innovation

Doctors and researchers from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children are attending the 11th International Congress on Early Onset Scoliosis (ICEOS) meeting in San Diego, California. This annual conference brings together medical professionals who specialize in treating pediatric spinal deformities to discuss the latest research and innovations.

The Growing Spine Foundation (GSF), established in 2008, is a non-profit organization that supports education and research efforts to enhance the care and treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) patients. The GSF educational mission is carried out through the annual ICEOS meeting as a commitment to finding new techniques to help this patient population. Several of Scottish Rite Hospital’s doctors are members of this group. Over the years, ICEOS has grown to be known as the premier medical conference for clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to researching innovative techniques to care for children with early onset scoliosis (EOS).

Members of GSF from the hospital include Assistant Chief of Staff Charles E. Johnston, M.D., Medical Director of Ambulatory Care Brandon A. Ramo, M.D., staff orthopedist Amy. L. McIntosh, M.D. and research coordinator Dong-Phuong Tran, M.S.

As a faculty member of ICEOS, Ramo understands the value this meeting brings to the overall care for patients diagnosed with EOS. “Early onset scoliosis can range from the common to the complex,” says Ramo. “The ICEOS meeting enables collaboration and focused discussions regarding this patient population to ultimately educate specialists on the latest treatment techniques to enhance the standard of care.”

This year, the hospital has several projects selected for presentation. In addition, staff are leading various educational sessions throughout the three-day meeting. The research projects selected include:

  • Continued Deterioration in Pulmonary Function at Minimum 18-year Follow-up from Early Thoracic Fusion in non-Neuromuscular Scoliosis – Nominated for a Behrooz A. Akbarnia Award for Best Paper
  • Short Term HRQoL Results in MCGR and TGR patients – Divergent from Long Term EOSQ Results in TGR Graduates

Scottish Rite Hospital is honored to have the opportunity to educate and share research with medical professionals from around the world. It is conferences like ICEOS that allows our doctors to have a farther reach to bring the best possible treatment back to our patients and children everywhere. 

Improving Care with Patient Reported Outcome Measures

Improving Care with Patient Reported Outcome Measures

by | Nov 1, 2017 | Research & Innovation

The goals for providers at Scottish Rite Hospital are to understand symptoms and concerns, develop the best action plan for treatment and to ensure that treatment is effective. We use standard questionnaires, called patient reported outcome measures (PROM), as tools to help us accomplish these goals. Patients are asked to complete these during or just before clinic visits or procedures. They are asked to complete them on an iPad, tablet or on paper. The completed questionnaires may be used for treatment decisions as well as research. Staff orthopedist Henry Ellis, M.D. says, “PROMs are valuable communication tools that can help improve patient satisfaction, symptom management and enhance the quality of care for our patients.”

Below are common questions patients and their families have about the ’WHAT’, ‘WHY’ and ‘HOW’ in regards to these PROMs.

WHAT

What are patient reported outcome measures (PROMs)?
These are standard questionnaires that have been developed by medical experts and research teams across the country. Patients are asked to respond to these at various points throughout treatment. They help the health care team provide appropriate care based on the patient’s physical abilities, goals and emotions. The answers to these questionnaires, along with other information, can help us determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

WHY

Why do providers ask their patients to complete the PROM before they meet?
It is important to establish a baseline of how a patient is feeling and what they can do so we can easily identify changes over time.

Why do we use PROMs instead of just asking the questions during the appointment?
There are a few reasons questions may be asked in the form of a PROM instead of during the clinical visit. These forms are used at many hospitals outside of Scottish Rite Hospital and have been designed based on the patient’s age. The questions are asked in a very consistent format at all sites so the results can be compared across the larger populations. PROMs are a place for the patient to document their opinions, feelings and function, which are combined with the discussions with your provider to make the best treatment plan for you.

HOW

How do doctors know what questionnaires to use?
For specific conditions, there are series of questions that have been shown in previous research studies to effectively track improvement in the patient’s ability to function in day-to-day activities. A patient with a shoulder problem will be asked to answer different questions than a patient with a knee problem.

Filling out PROMs seems to make a visit take longer. How is Scottish Rite Hospital taking that into consideration?
Scottish Rite Hospital is very excited to be using electronic software designed for use by our patients. Although not all forms are available electronically just yet, teams of clinicians and researchers are working to get questionnaires available in electronic formats to be answered on an IPad or tablet. With the use of electronic systems, some of the PROMs can be combined to remove all duplicate questions. This will reduce the number of questions patients must complete. After a patient enters answers electronically, the software scores and organizes the answers so the results are available to the provider right away. Additionally, the electronic software systems allow us to send follow-up forms to patients electronically, in many cases, eliminating this step in the office.

How do PROMs help our researchers?
For studies that evaluate treatment options or outcomes, changes in symptoms and function can be measured in many ways. We can measure changes in bone length, joint angles or even tissue healing using advanced imaging techniques. The PROM provides a standardized and objective way for the patient to report progress and allows our team to track how our patients are improving over time. This information can improve the health and satisfaction of our patients, help identify the most effective treatments and ensure we are providing the best care we can.

Learn more about research conducted at Scottish Rite Hospital.

#SRHaccess Facebook LIVE Recap: MAGEC Rods

#SRHaccess Facebook LIVE Recap: MAGEC Rods

by | Sep 29, 2017 | Scoliosis & Spine

On this week’s Facebook live, Amy L. McIntosh, M.D. joined us to discuss MAGEC rods – an innovative treatment used for early onset scoliosis (EOS). Below is a recap of the conversation.

What is a MAGEC rod?
A MAGEC rod is a growing device technique used for patients diagnosed with early onset scoliosis (EOS) – children under the age of 10. This is a less invasive, innovative treatment which reduces the amount of surgeries a child must undergo.

Qualifications for MAGEC rod treatment:

  • Children diagnosed with early onset scoliosis.
  • A curve approaching 50 degrees and other forms of treatment (i.e. bracing, casting) have not been successful.

What medical tests are done to determine the severity of a curve?

  • Scottish Rite Hospital has an advanced imaging technology call the EOS machine. The system produces long length images of the spine with significantly less radiation than other imaging tools.
  • Based off the x-ray, the curve is measured by your doctor to determine the degree.

What happens after the rod is placed?

  • After surgery, a patient will stay in the hospital for three to five days on average.
  • The back must heal from the surgery and after four to six months, the patient will return to clinic for his or her first lengthening session.

How is the MAGEC rod lengthened?

  • Your doctor will use a magnetic wand to locate the magnets in the rod and will make a mark on your back.
  • An External Remote Control (ERC) is the device used to expand the rod in your back. The device can make a loud noise, but our Child Life team is there to make your child feel as comfortable as possible.

Can the child be active while having the MAGEC rod?
•    Our doctors support patients being active and staying healthy.
•    Recommended activities include: biking, swimming, walking and hiking while having the MAGEC rod.

Watch this segment on Facebook.

DNA Samples from Scottish Rite Hospital’s Biobank of AIS Patients Selected for Analysis

DNA Samples from Scottish Rite Hospital’s Biobank of AIS Patients Selected for Analysis

by | Sep 7, 2017 | Research & Innovation

Director of Molecular Genetics and Basic Science Carol Wise, Ph.D. and Assistant Director of Molecular Genetics Jonathan Rios, Ph.D. are in Rockville, Maryland attending the inaugural Kids First Program annual meeting held at Johns Hopkins University- Montgomery County Campus. Rios was awarded a grant through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program to fund his project, “Genomics of Orthopaedic Disease (GOOD for Kids), which utilizes next-generation genomic technologies to discover the genetic causes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). DNA samples from Scottish Rite Hospital’s biobank of AIS patients and families have recently been selected for analysis.  

The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program was established as a resource for researchers everywhere to access a vast amount of genetic data from children diagnosed with cancer and other birth defects. The purpose of this program is to create a large data set of sequenced DNA from thousands of individuals to understand pediatric diseases and ultimately find the cause. In 2014, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act was signed into law authorizing to support a fund specifically for pediatric research.
The Kids First Program is at the forefront of innovation. Along with federal support, our team at Scottish Rite Hospital is an integral part of this national project and is conducting ongoing research to understand the causes of various pediatric diseases. 

Carol Wise, Ph.D., and Jonathan Rios, Ph.D., are professors at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). Dr. Wise is a Professor in the McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Pediatrics, and Orthopedic Surgery and Dr. Rios is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery.