Tuesday, September 14,2010 -Thomasville Times - 3 HEALTH Robotic surgery is all the rage, but price is high LIFELONG HEALTH DR. DAVID LIPSCHITZ Syndicated Columnist The last few decades have led to great ad vances in health care — new breakthroughs in medical therapies and treatments seem to make the impossible possible. One of the most valuable therapies has been the development of endo scopic surgery, which involves using very tiny incisions and small endo scopic tubes to perform a variety of procedures. With this minimally invasive technique, it is now possible to remove gaU bladders, the uterus and ovaries, perform back and sinus surgeries and many more. Recov ery occurs within days, there is little pain, and side effects are reduced. This approach has not only shortened hospital stays and improved qual ity of life, but it also has reduced the cost of care. In recent years, the development of robotic surgery has offered a new and exciting fron tier for surgical proce dures. Marketed as the Da Vinci system, this device allows the sur geon to perform highly complex procedures without ever touching the patient. Working from a console, the physi cian uses the robot to make small incisions. And with miniatarfred instnaments and a high definition 3-D camera, is able to perform the most delicate of procedures. Robotic surgery allows the siurgical treatment of colon, rectum, bladder and kidney cancers and is now widely used to perform prostatectomies for prostate cancefi The machine has also been used to repair heart valve abnormalities and coronary bypass smrgery. Like endoscopic surgery the robotic approaches allow a shorter recovery time, less blood loss, less pain and a lower risk of infection. This technology has created a great deal of excite ment in the health care community, and the use of this approach has shown explosive growth. Though the robotic surgery has brought many medical advances and benefits, it comes with a high price tag. In a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers examined the signifi cant impact that this technology has had on health care costs. In the past three years, the number of robotic surgeries performed in the United States has increased from 80,000 to 205,000, and the number •of Da Vinci systems available in hospitals rose from 800 to 1,400. Each system ranges in price from $1 million to $2.5 mUlion, and the use of robotic surgery increases the cost of procedures anywhere from $3,200 to $8,000. Overall, robotic surger ies increases the annual cost of health care by $2.5 billion. And if the number of procedmres continue to increase at the current rate, the total cost could run higher in the billions. In addition to cost, there are other concerns with robotic surgeries. While it has opened up complex and very diSicult surgeries to minimally invasive approaches, the sys tem is often used for operations such as gall bladder surgery and hysterectomies, which could just as easily be performed using cheaper endoscopic approaches. There is also evidence that the availability of the robotic surgery increases the number of procedures performed. Between 2005 and 2008, prostatectomies in creased by 60 percent, despite a reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer. It has been sug gested that the avail ability of the robotic approach has led to more surgeons recommending prostatectomy over other forms of treatment. Making matters more complicated, studies have shown the robotic surgery for prostate can cer has the same risk of adverse effects as earlier surgical approaches. The incidence of erectUe dysfunction, inconti nence or infection is identical with all forms of surgical treatments for prostate cancer. The case of the ro botic surgery is a perfect example of how great breakthroughs come with great challenges. Robotic surgery is a valuable and exciting advance in surgical treat ment. However, it should be used in circumstances where other approaches are not available or effec tive. We must be aware of the cost implications and use the tried, proven, highly effective therapies when possible. More re search is also needed to compare the various ap proaches to treatment, so the health care commu nity truly understands all the alternatives. Yom- physician is not the only one responsible for determining when to employ the greatest advances in medicine. You, the patient, must be an empowered and active participant in your medical decisions. This is the only way to assure the most ap propriate treatment possible. Remember, newer does not always mean better. In medicine, while the tried and true therapy may not be the most exciting option, it is often the most reliable. Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the books "Breaking the Rules of Aging" and “Dr. David’s First Health Book of More Not Less. ” To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Cre ators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators. com. More information is available at www. DrDavidHealth.com. Novant awarded by development council TIMES Staff Report GREENVILLE, S.C. - To the applause of himdreds of minority business own ers, corporate executives and procure ment professionals from across the Car- olinas, the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council 2010 Business Op portunity Conference recognized prog ress and achievement by minority busi nesses in honoring individuals and corporations at their recent annual awards program at the Hyatt Regency GreenvUle^ South Carolina. Dick WUkerson of Michelin, N.A. re ceived the President’s Award celebrating the leadership he provided on creating access to capital through the Michelin Development Fund for Disadvantaged Businesses in the Upstate. Joe Mullen of BMW Manufacturing was honored as CMSDC Advocate of the Year for his mentorship of minority enterprises, his active pursuit of opportmiity cre ation, building community awareness and Involvement, and BMW’s volume of business ciurently conducted with minority business enterprises. Sharon Campbell of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions was saluted as Coordinator of the Year for her tireless efforts to le verage minority enterprise and develop a more diverse supplier base at her or ganization. Cited as Regional Corporation of the Year was BI-LO of Mauldin, South Car olina. BI-LO was hailed for buUdlng of commimity awareness around minority issues, civic involvement, and contin ued growth of business conducted with minority business enterprises across their multistate geographic footprint. Denny’s Restaurants of Spartanburg, S.C. was honored with the coveted Na tional Corporation of the Year Award for continued commitment to minority business enterprises, mentorship and support of minority businesses and their leaders, civic involvement, and continued growth of business with mi nority organizations. ■ CMSDC leaders also celebrated the Public-Private Sector. Organization of the Year, presenting the award to Nov ant Health of Winston-Salem, N.C. for its commitment to minority business purchasing, technical and managerial assistance to such enterprises, and vol ume of business opportunities dedicat ed to minority companies. Finally, Supplier of the Year Awards were presented to Hoyles General Con tractors of Charlotte in the Tier One ($1 million in revenues) category; De- Whit Inc. of SimpsonvUle, S.C. in the Tier Two ($1-10 million in revenues) cat egory; and to Aten Clinical Solutions of Cary, N.C, in the Tier Three (>$10 mil lion revenues). The 3-day event drew top executives from leading organizations across the Carolinas, Including Boeing, Volvo, Denny’s, SCANA, Clemson, Enterprise Holdings, Progress Energy, Bank of America, Sonoco, Duke Energy, BMW, BI-LO, WeUs Fargo, Michelin, Mack Trucks, Merck, Food Lion, Turner Con struction, Skanska, GE Healthcare, MU- liken, Johnson Controls, SAS, First Citi zens, Blue Cross Blue Shield, DeU, Coca Cola, Shaw, Staples, Lockheed Martin, Time Warner, Compass Group/Food Buy, Greenville Hospital System, Nov ant Health, Verizon, and GE Energy. The program included a CEO Break fast, a Legislative Roundtable discus sion with public sector officials, a Pim- chasing Panel of leading purchasing executives. Diversity University train ing sessions and trade show, and the Awards Dinner to celebrate corporate and minority business achievements. “We are particularly proud to honor individuals and organizations who un derstand that promoting and support ing the development of minority busi ness enterprises (MBEs) not only helps the business community, but is essential See NOVANT, Page 12 ■ '■'■r ■ ■ lii" Health department to hold rabies clinic TIMES Staff Report The Davidson County Health Department is spon soring a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, Sept. 18. The clinic win be held at Tyro Middle School from 2-4 p.m. Dr. Greg Hedrick will be administering the vaccines. The cost is $5 i>er vaccination at the clinic. AH rabies vaccines administered at the clinic will be one-year vaccines only, unless the owner or responsi ble party can show a rabies certificate proving the ani mal is properly vaccinated. AU animals must remain in the vehicle. The owner of the animal maintains re sponsibility for their animal while at the clinic. Ani mals should be handled by an adult. All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. fe* You are not just a 4 o’clock procedure. You are a mother, a daughter, a wife and a best friend. You’re a mediator, a chauffeur, a role model, a nurturer, a guidance counselor, a boss and a co-worker. You are both a dependent and depended upon. You're far more than a 4 o'clock procedure. We know that. That’s why even with all of our advancements in medicine, nothing can replace getting to know you as a person first. We call it Total Care. High Point Regional Health System OTAL CARE Inside and Out.' ExperienceTotalCare.com For a physician referral, call our contact center at 336.878.6888.