St. Alexius Clinical Research Services
St. Alexius Medical Center has had an active clinical research department since 1987. The Clinical Research Services is affiliated with Pharmacy Services and is located in the Medical Arts Plaza Building, Suite 202.
The mission statement for the Clinical Research Services department is “To provide opportunities and benefits of clinical research to the patients and healthcare providers of the Primecare Health Group.”
What is a research study? A clinical research study is research designed to test new investigational drugs, devices, or procedures to see if they work and are safe. All clinical research studies are completed under very strict requirements and guidelines with the approval of the physician and the participant.
Why are clinical research studies important? Almost all medications available today have gone through a clinical study. Because of clinical study research, there now is effective treatments for hundreds of diseases. Survival rates for breast cancer, HIV, and prostate cancer have all increased in the last decade due, in a large part to the research advances made by doctors and the participation of thousands of clinical study participants. Clinical study participants help researchers further the development of new treatments and cures.
What are the benefits of participating in a clinical research study? Benefits include access to medication, medical care from specialists who know your condition, and laboratory services at no cost to you. It is also an opportunity to receive a medical treatment that is not widely available and knowledge that you are helping advance medical science.
Currently, there are four clinical research coordinators on staff who work closely with the physicians, enroll and screen participants to assure they meet the criteria for the study, coordinate the other hospital departments involved such as laboratory and x-ray, and complete the case report forms which the study sponsors use their method of data collection to assure consistency and completeness.
Clinical Research Services have approximately thirty two studies in progress at this time. The studies include hormone replacement therapy, stress urinary incontinence, weight loss/abnormal cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, surgical pain, osteoporosis and others. In the area of cancer research, Clinical Research Services are currently involved in studies for breast cancer, weight loss prevention in cancer, lung cancer and metastatic brain cancer.
If you would like more information regarding a research study or are interested in participating in a study, call 701-530-6950 or toll free 1-877-701-6677.
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