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Zero Patient Infections Reported As D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center Sets New Standard for Specialty Hospitals

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 15:00 CDT

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center, proudly announces its medical center is "infection free" after an initial 18 months of operation where over 1,200 procedures have been performed, according to Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr., founding director and CEO. The outpatient specialty hospital is a fully-integrated medical group providing next generation diagnostics, conservative care, sports medicine and rehabilitation along with state-of-the-art digital ORs that offer minimally invasive spine procedures and advanced arthroscopic surgeries.

With the explicit goal of minimizing the risk of infection in the 7,200-square foot surgery center, Dr. Bray made a strategic decision to install a $750,000 environmental air conditioning system throughout the center. Special attention was given to the three ultra clean operating rooms installing individual true 99.71% efficient HEPA filters to further eliminate any comingling of bacteria. With 30 air exchanges/per hour this filter exceeds the industry standard.

As an added level of protection, D.I.S.C. recently installed UVC Emitters (ultraviolet) to all critical area air moving units to destroy incoming airborne germs, bacteria and microorganisms including the highly-lethal anthrax. This level of protection is unprecedented in a medical facility and is the same type of system used by the CDC.

"This is a highly-significant accomplishment and we are extremely proud of our achievement," Dr. Bray said. "Our goal has been to redefine patient care and we have succeeded. By design, we implemented extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of our patients. In over 18 months of operation, we have clearly demonstrated that the procedures, protocols and technologies we have employed can make a dramatic impact in saving lives. We have proven the ability to reduce the risk of infection, which is reaching epidemic proportions today in the hospital environment."

Moreover, very stringent policies were developed to address the basic functioning and hygiene of the surgery center. These protocols encompass patient contact, hand washing, outside clothing regulations along with minimal use of catheters. D.I.S.C. has also begun pre-screening high-risk patients for MRSA.

In a study released last spring, the CDC estimated there are 4.5 hospital infections for every 100 patient admissions resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths. With the increased resistance to infection-fighting drugs, especially the potent MRSA bacteria, these figures are alarming.

About D.I.S.C.: D.I.S.C. was founded by Dr. Robert S. Bray, Jr. one of the country's preeminent neurological spinal surgeons specializing in minimally invasive procedures. In his 26-year-career, he has performed more than 9,000 micro procedures. The Official Medical Center of the Los Angeles Kings, D.I.S.C. is redefining patient care by providing a multidisciplinary center that has the expertise of a variety of specialists from the fields of spinal neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine, pain management and chiropractic services all working together to find the best solution for each individual. For more information please contact D.I.S.C. at (310) 574-0400 or visit their website at: http://www.discmdgroup.com/.

D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center

CONTACT: Ann Victor of V&R Communications, +1-562-621-1142, ext. 1#,avictor@vr-communications.com, for D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center

Web site: http://www.discmdgroup.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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