39 Cyb May Newsletter

Cybernotes…………………… May 2005 • 2nd edition NEW MR HEAD COIL - a real benefit for Trigeminal Neuralgia patients ………………………………………………… The CyberKnife continues to excel as an efficacious procedure for the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. The CyberKnife eliminates the need for frame fixation, and enables physicians to deliver the dose of radiation exactly

where it is needed. Now, with the acquisition of the Head Coil and Positioner, Miami trigeminal neuralgia patients are no longer required to undergo a contrast CT cysternograph. Eliminating this imaging procedure reduces risk, time and cost. Cystonographs are performed in a hospital setting and patients routinely spend a 23-hour stay admission at a cost of $2,500 or more for the procedure. The MR Head Coil allows a rigid fixation for enhanced

image quality allowing the target nerve to be seen very clearly. The MR is performed as part of the pre-planning

stage for CyberKnife and takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. Feedback from our staff physicians who have prescribed MR with the new Head Coil for their trigeminal neuralgia patients has been favorable.

Dr. Luis Pagan, Neurosurgeon and Dr. Fahed Fayad, Radiation Oncologist, inspect the new Head Coil and give it a thumbs up!

Patient Feedback: an indispensable measure of our services ……………………………………………… -1st Quarter ‘05 Patient Satisfaction Survey Results-

Patient surveys say a lot about our effectiveness in delivering quality radiosurgery services with the CyberKnife. It is commonly acknowledged that

patients rate service as much as they do clinical outcomes. The very nature of our small center coupled with our daily treatment volume allow us the opportunity to focus on the folks that matter the most… our patients. All CyberKnife patients are mailed a patient satisfaction survey a week after their procedure and are asked to answer questions honestly and confidentially. This quarter 56% returned their surveys. Poor

Fair

Good

Very Good

ACCESS TO CARE………………………………………………………………88% REGISTRATION PROCESS…………………………………………………………90% CARE FROM TREATING PHYSICIANS…………………………………………………92% CARE FROM THERAPISTS……………………………………………………………………94% HANDLING OF INSURANCE ISSUES………………………………78% SENSITIVITY TO PERSONAL NEEDS…………………………………………………………95% OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF VISIT*………………………………………………………………98%

* 99% of patients who participated in the questionnaire indicated that they would recommend the CyberKnife Center of Miami to others.

Bloodless Spine Surgery Has Arrived ……………………………… On May 3rd, the CyberKnife Center of Miami became the first Beta installation in the US to treat spinal tumors with a new spine tracking system that speeds up treatment and reduces risk and cost by eliminating the need for surgical implantation of radiographic markers known as fiducials. Dr. Arnold Markoe, Chairman of Radiation Oncology at UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Jonathan Jagid, Neurosurgeon at the University of Miami were the first staff physicians to use the new system. Treatment was completed in one hour and 15 minutes. We are pleased to report that the patient and doctors went home very happy.

Cybernotes…………………… May 2005 • 2nd edition

(continued)

CyberKnife Educational Video Helps Ease the Anxiety of Treatment …………………………………………………… The new CyberKnife Patient Educational Video, developed by Accuray, the CyberKnife Society and

CyberKnife Support Group, is used everyday by our Radiation Therapists to help explain all the phases of procedure. When patients come to the center for pre-registration they are given a tour

of the treatment room and together with their therapist watch the video, who then answers questions specific to their care. The high quality video is an excellent source of information and

includes segments on the treatment process for head/brain lesions, spinal lesions, lung and other soft tissue, as well as the Synchrony system. Staff physicians can access this video by logging on to: www.icvdigitalmedia.com/clients/cyberknife/online/radiosurgery/menu.htm#.

Professor Giovanni Ambrosino Visits …………………………… Professor Giovanni Ambrosino, Director of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Department at San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy toured the CyberKnife Center of Miami on April 19th. Vicenza Hospital was the first facility in Italy to develop a CyberKnife program. Dr. Ambrosino, a general

surgeon, has asked the CyberKnife Center of Miami to join his Phase 1 study for the Treatment of

Locally Invasive Liver Tumors, Primary or Metastatic; and Phase 1, second study on the Treatment of Locally Invasive Pancreatic Tumors. Staff physicians interested in participating in these studies should contact Dr. James Schwade, who will be initiating this multi-site project.

Our Executive Director is recognized for bringing CyberKnife technology to South Florida James Schwade, MD has earned a prestigious nomination in the 16th Annual Florida Medical Business Golden Stethoscope Awards in the

Are you a member of the CyberKnife® Society? The CyberKnife Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together diverse CyberKnife users and medical professionals affiliated with radiosurgery worldwide to foster scholarly exchange and share clinical information pertaining to CyberKnife Radiosurgical ablation and to educate patients about radiosurgery.

Ceremony, Friday, May 20th, at DCOTA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Membership advantages: • Annual User’s Meeting • Protocol development • Clinical database compiling data on CK cases • New application development • Web site serving physicians, CK society members • Awards/Recognition/Prizes • Publications, research grants

Congratulations Jim!

For more info contact: (408) 716-4663 [email protected] www.cksociety.org

category of Best Physician Entrepreneur. Dr. Schwade was one of only 5 nominees selected from a statewide pool of over 50,000 physicians, hospital executives and medical professionals comprising the state's healthcare industry. The winners will be announced the night of the Awards

7867 North Kendall Drive, Suite 105 • Miami, Florida 33156 • 305-279-2900 • www.cyberknifemiami.com