Geisinger leads nation in STABILITY Trial enrollment

Trial to evaluate effectiveness of experimental heart drug
 
Sept. 21, 2009, DANVILLE – Geisinger 's advanced electronic health record is credited with helping to enroll a record number of patients in an important cardiac clinical trial.

With a total of 101 enrollees, Geisinger enrolled more patientsin the STABILITY trial than any of the 158 other participating major medical research institutions in the United States, and was among the top four enrolling sites out of 45 participating countries. This enrollment took only three months to accomplish.
 
The goal of the STABILITY trial is to determine whether an experimental drug that lowers a new form of "bad cholesterol'" (LP-PLA2) by 65 percent also reduces cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, according to Peter Berger, M.D., director of Geisinger's Center for Clinical Studies. That goal will be achieved through careful monitoring of the approximately 15,000 patients enrolled in the trial worldwide, all of whom have severe vascular disease and are currently being treated with statins.
 
"I am proud of Geisinger's contribution to this worldwide effort," said Dr. Berger. "Geisinger's electronic health record is an invaluable tool for clinical trials. It allows researchers to efficiently identify patients who may benefit from a trial, and helps us inform patients about research opportunities." Dr. Berger added that Geisinger's outstanding performance reflects on the remarkable generosity of Geisinger's patients.

"Clinical trials are often the best way to determine the optimal treatment for patients," he added. "And they offer our patients early access to promising new treatments."

The results of the trial will not be known for nearly three years.
 
About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than 2.6 million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, an 800-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.