Hartford Hospital is kicking off a campaign to end the stigma of mental illness at the annual Black & Red gala on January 25th, 2014 at The Bushnell.
December 17, 2014
Hartford, CT – The Comprehensive Liver Center at Hartford Hospital is the first in Connecticut to use FibroScan® technology, a painless alternative to liver biopsy for evaluating the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C, B and fatty liver diseases.
FibroScan was approved by the FDA in April, 2013, and is now available in the U.S. with Hartford Hospital among only a few health care facilities to have it. “We are proud to lead the way by introducing this minimally invasive technology to our patients,” said Colin Swales, M.D., Medical Director, Transplant Hepatology at Hartford Hospital. “Our hope is to decrease the need for painful, invasive needle biopsies.”
How it works
The physician simply places a hand-held scanner on the skin in the area over the liver. A mechanical pulse is generated at the surface of the skin to the liver. The velocity of the wave is then measured. It is directly correlated to the stiffness of the liver, which tells doctors the degree of fibrosis – the more stiff the liver is, the greater the degree of disease.
“FibroScan is the perfect diagnostic tool for us to accurately identify patients with significant liver disease and its progression,” adds Michael Einstein, M.D., Director of Hepatology, Hartford Hospital. “This truly revolutionizes how we manage patients with liver disease.”
Dr. Jonathan Israel, M.D., Hepatologist, Hartford Hospital touts the advanced technology and immediate results. “There are many benefits to the patient. The patient is spared the discomfort and risk of a needle biopsy, and the results are immediately available for us to evaluate and discuss with the patient.”
FibroScan was initially introduced in Europe in 2003 by the French company, Echosens. Today, FibroScan is used in Japan, China, Canada and approximately 70 other countries including the U.S. For more information on FibroScan at Hartford Hospital, please call (860) 545-1888.
About Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital, founded in 1854, is one of the largest teaching hospitals and tertiary care centers in New England with one of the region's busiest surgery practices. It is annually ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report and has been recognized nationally for the quality of many of its programs, including cardiology, cancer, stroke and joint and spine care. The 867-bed regional referral center provides high-quality care in all clinical disciplines. Among its divisions is The Institute of Living, a 114-bed mental health facility with a national and international reputation of excellence. Jefferson House, a 104-bed long-term care facility, is also a special division of Hartford Hospital. The hospital’s major centers of clinical excellence include cardiology, oncology, emergency services and trauma, mental health, women’s health, orthopedics, bloodless surgery and advanced organ transplantation. Hartford Hospital owns and operates the state’s only air ambulance system, LIFE STAR.