Role Of The
Rheumatologist
Disease Definitions
Doctor's Biography
Preparing For
Doctor's Appointment
HIPAA Information
Please Share Your Comments On Our Website.
Click Here
Click Here To Search
... |
Infusion Therapy Performed In A
Physician Office
Previous Page
Pamidronate
Remicade
Insurance Coverage
Sally Agresta pictured here on the top left is our infusion nurse at
our Mayfield office. Sally came to us with expertise in the
administration of infusion therapy. Sally is experienced and
compassionate in the care she renders. Jennifer Palazzo , (our Chardon
facility infusionist) comes with the same experience and compassion.
We began infusion therapy in the Mayfield office four years ago and we
are going on three years at our Chardon office.
The fact that infusion therapy is part of a treatment plan for
patients either with RA or Osteoporosis is not unusual. What is
unusual is being able to receive the treatment right in the same
office as your treating specialist.
Dr. Mandel felt it was important to be able to have hands on with the
patients in his practice when receiving therapy. Many times hospital
infusion units are unfamiliar with the medications used in
rheumatology and therefore do not have the specialized understanding
that our staff infusion nurses have. The environment is also
important, patients find sharing the same symptoms; physical, social
and family issues, can act as another type of healing balm. The
infusion process can be lengthy in the hospital units where patients
could wait anywhere up to 2 hours before the IV is started. Hospital
expenditures are quite a bit higher for this service opposed to having
it rendered in the doctors office. Perhaps the most important impact
is in the ability to monitor the patient first hand, see their
response and tolerance to the medication.
This service is just another way Dr. Mandel works to make sure our
patients receive the best quality care possible.
To learn more about infusion therapy and the various medication,
please refer to the links above.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis And
Treatment
Patients from Dr. Mandel's practice whom currently receive infusion
therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) wanted to pass on an important
message to visitors to this site: "Don't wait to go to your doctor,
early diagnosis and treatment is critical"!
Patients share their experience expressing that the 1st mistake people
make is in assuming that since there is no cure there really isn't
anything that can be done about RA.
Here is what you need to understand: Early diagnosis and treatment can
help prevent further joint destruction. With medications known as
biologics such as Remicade, the doctors now have tools which do more
then bring down inflammation and diminish pain. These medications
attack the very process which leads to joint erosion. The earlier you
start working with various therapies inclusive of pharmacological the
better your outcome can be.
What else you should know is that there are support groups out there
as well. A good resource to learn of support groups in your area is
the Arthritis
Foundation
One support group close to the hearts of Dr. Mandel's patients are
fellow patients in the same room with the same disease receiving the
same treatment. They talk about the daily challenges inclusive of
family whom find it difficult to truly understand how crippling RA can
be. RA doesn't wear the face of other diseases. Husbands, wives,
friends and family become frustrated and think it's all in the
patients head. Its not unusual to hear loved ones say, "If you would
just try harder! Why can't you accomplish more during the day? "
By sharing your experiences it helps to know your not the only one.
You find just knowing that fact alone can help lift your spirits or
diminish the frustration you feel.
No longer is the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis limited to anti-inflammatories,
there is new hope. New advances in research potentially provide long
term enhancements to your quality of life.
Remember, don't wait! If you have been working with your family doctor
trying to manage joint pain, if you find you are limiting your
activities because of how you feel, its time to find out more. Seek
out a specialist in rheumatology to help identify whether this is
something more then typical joint pain.
Early diagnosis and treatment can really make the
difference!
CONTACTS:
Sally Agresta - Mayfield Village - 440-449-8277 ext. 215
Dianne Grippe - Chardon Office - 440-286-9433 ext. 204
Pamidronate
Remicade
Insurance Coverage |
|
