Doctors at Baton Rouge Clinic use new technology and methods to improve patient care near home | Sponsored: The Baton Rouge Clinic
publisher’s Note
This article is brought to you by the Baton Rouge Clinic.
At the Baton Rouge Clinic, numerous doctors have exceeded expectations of delivering the highest quality medicine and maintaining board certifications. In fact, many have helped advance medical care in the area by being the first to offer new technologies and procedures to patients.
About three years ago, Dr. Wesley Porta became the first urologist in the Baton Rouge area to perform the UroLift, a minimally invasive procedure for men with urinary tract problems. Dr. Porta said he usually does the surgery at the clinic’s outpatient center. The procedure has a shorter recovery time and often fewer side effects than more invasive options.
Dr. Porta said he researched UroLift after several patients asked about alternatives other than traditional surgery. Although he was always intrigued, Dr. Porta, he wanted to make sure it was safe before continuing.
Dr. Wesley Porta
“When the national board offered guidelines on this and said it was a good treatment option, I felt that an important threshold had been crossed,” said Dr. Porta. “I think you have to be a little careful when there is a new technique, but when the data and research is there to support it, it’s important to adopt those methods. Otherwise the patients cannot experience the benefits. “
Helping patients was also the main goal when Dr. Richard Lieux opened the first accredited echocardiogram laboratory in Louisiana at the clinic 22 years ago. The laboratory has retained its national accreditation with reviews every three years.
“Accreditation was not required when the laboratory opened, but we did it to prove the quality of our work,” said Dr. Lieux. “It is important to us to show people that the high quality is available and that we adhere to national standards.”
Dr. Lieux said that a patient who came to the clinic with chest pain was usually sent to an emergency room before the lab was set up. With the laboratory on the second floor of the clinic, this patient can be tested to see if there is a heart problem.
“We see immediately what needs to be done,” says Dr. Lieux. “That saves time and money and gives patients security.”
Clinicians are also expected to continue to educate themselves in health care and their specialties. Dr. Everett J. Bonner, Jr. took this mission to heart by becoming the first scholarship-trained breast surgeon in the Baton Rouge area and becoming the first breast surgeon in the area to perform gentle mastectomy breast surgery with hidden scars and nipples . Dr. Bonner, an avid learner, said one of the main reasons he pursued such new techniques is so that patients can experience these benefits without having to travel to other cities or states.
“Here in Baton Rouge, we have the same expertise, technology, and evidence-based medicine that you find in major cancer centers,” said Dr. Bonn. “Patients can also stay in their hometown and receive support from family, church, work and others in their network. It enables them to stay in their comfort zone while receiving the best treatment. “
Dr. Everett Bonner Jr.
Like Dr. Porta told Dr. Bonner that he thoroughly reviews and reviews all new breast surgery techniques before introducing them to patients. With that confidence and detailed explanations, Dr. Bonner that most of his patients are open to the idea of using a new technique to treat their breast cancer.
“A lot of companies have good literature and videos that show how something was done in the past and how it’s made new,” he said. “I have several handheld devices that I use to demonstrate the process and the benefits. As long as you present it clearly and explain why it is a good option for them, people are usually open to it. “
In addition to bringing innovative medical techniques to Baton Rouge, many of the clinic’s staff have broken down barriers and become important health care leaders in the area. For example, Dr. Elizabeth Seiter, a pediatrician, served on the Medical Executive Committee of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and became its first female chief of staff in 2012.
Dr. Seiter said that success would not have been possible without the support of her colleagues and her experience on the Medical Executive Committee. Today she still uses the knowledge she gained to help her patients and colleagues at the Baton Rouge Clinic.
“As a member of the committee and chief of staff, I have been able to work with doctors from all specialties,” she noted. “I learned a lot about the administration and management of hospitals. It was a completely different challenge because it was very different from working directly with patients every day. It was fun and I think it made other women in hospital administration proud. “
Dr. Seiter said she was encouraged to see the Baton Rouge Clinic continue its support for women doctors. She noticed that when she first came to the clinic a few years ago, she knew about 10 other doctors. Today she estimates the number to be at least 40.
“One thing I’ve noticed is that more women are going into different specialties like surgery, psychiatry and other areas,” she said. “At many medical schools across the country, over 50% of new students are female. That’s really great. I remember my former pediatrician once telling my mother that women shouldn’t go into medicine. I am here now and have practiced medicine in my hometown for almost 30 years. “
The Baton Rouge Clinic is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. For more information or to make an appointment, call 225-769-4044 or visit www.batonrougeclinic.com.
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