MDNews - Greater Kansas

COVER FEATURE Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea — often means not only an improvement in patients' lifestyles but a reduction in their health care costs. It's what Ramsey calls their "non- scale" improvements. Of those suffering from type 2 diabetes Via Christi Weight Management Outcomes Justin Moore, M.D., Division Chief of Endocrinology with the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, took over from Dr. Early as the program's Medical Director earlier this year. Nurse health educator Dena Marten, R.N., who underwent bariatric surgery herself at Via Christi in 2009, leads the eight-week preoperative Lifestyles class for prospective bariatric patients. She educates patients on making behavior and lifestyle changes — how to track food intake, add exercise to the daily rou- tine and choose healthful foods. Ramsey helps lead the weekly postoperative Lifestyles class, ensuring patients understand how to get enough nutrients and other post-surgical issues. Measuring Outcomes One of the best ways to evaluate a weight-loss program is on its outcomes. In a decade of operation, Via Christi Weight Management has had no deaths associated with its surgical weight-loss program. Along with a reduction in weight, Via Christi patients usually see a reduction in or resolution of comorbid conditions. The improvement in those associated conditions — typically type 2 8 | Greater Kansas MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM and undergoing gastric bypass in the past two years, 96.6% of Via Christi's patients either resolved or improved that condition, which is better than the 90.6% cited in national studies. Among patients with type 2 diabetes receiving adjustable gastric band surgery, 91.7% resolved or improved the condition in two years, also a higher percentage than the 80.2% cited in a national study. The Via Christi program compares favorably with national statistics in improving or resolving other conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia and obstructive sleep apnea. Of those undergoing gastric band surgery at Via Christi, 83.3% of those with high blood pressure saw a resolution or improvement, 86.4% of those with dyslipidemia saw a resolution or improvement, and 69.2% of those with obstructive sleep apnea saw an improvement. Those who underwent gastric bypass had higher rates of improve- ment or resolution in their comorbid conditions: 97.1% of those with hypertension saw resolution or improvement, 97.1% with dyslipidemia experienced resolution or improvement; and 85.6% of those with obstructive sleep apnea resolved or improved their condition. For more information, visit www.viachristiweightmanagement.com or call (316) 689-5232. ■

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