Cybernotes……………………

May 2005 • 2nd edition

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NEW MR HEAD COIL - a real benefit for Trigeminal Neuralgia patients

The CyberKnife continues to excel as an efficacious procedure for the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. The
CyberKnife eliminates the need for frame fixation, and enables physicians to deliver the dose of radiation exactly
where it is needed. Now, with the acquisition of the Head Coil and Positioner, Miami trigeminal neuralgia patients
are no longer required to undergo a contrast CT cysternograph. Eliminating this imaging procedure reduces risk,
time and cost. Cystonographs are performed in a hospital setting and patients routinely spend a 23-hour stay
admission at a cost of $2,500 or more for the procedure. The MR Head Coil allows a rigid fixation for enhanced
image quality allowing the target nerve to be seen very clearly. The MR is performed as part of the pre-planning
stage for CyberKnife and takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. Feedback from our staff physicians who
have prescribed MR with the new Head Coil for their trigeminal neuralgia patients has been favorable.
Dr. Luis Pagan, Neurosurgeon and Dr. Fahed Fayad, Radiation
Oncologist, inspect the new Head Coil and give it a thumbs up!

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Patient Feedback: an indispensable measure of our services

-1st Quarter ‘05 Patient Satisfaction Survey Results-

Patient surveys say a lot about our effectiveness in delivering quality radiosurgery services with the CyberKnife. It is commonly acknowledged that
patients rate service as much as they do clinical outcomes. The very nature of our small center coupled with our daily treatment volume allow us the
opportunity to focus on the folks that matter the most… our patients. All CyberKnife patients are mailed a patient satisfaction survey a week after their
procedure and are asked to answer questions honestly and confidentially. This quarter 56% returned their surveys.

Poor Fair Good Very Good

ACCESS TO CARE………………………………………………………………88%

REGISTRATION PROCESS…………………………………………………………90%

CARE FROM TREATING PHYSICIANS…………………………………………………92%

CARE FROM THERAPISTS……………………………………………………………………94%

HANDLING OF INSURANCE ISSUES………………………………78%

SENSITIVITY TO PERSONAL NEEDS…………………………………………………………95%

OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF VISIT*………………………………………………………………98%

* 99% of patients who participated in the questionnaire indicated that they would recommend
the CyberKnife Center of Miami to others.

Bloodless Spine Surgery Has Arrived

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On May 3rd, the CyberKnife Center of Miami became the first Beta installation in the US to treat spinal tumors with a new spine tracking system that speeds up
treatment and reduces risk and cost by eliminating the need for surgical implantation of radiographic markers known as fiducials. Dr. Arnold Markoe, Chairman of
Radiation Oncology at UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Jonathan Jagid, Neurosurgeon at the University of Miami were the first staff physicians
to use the new system. Treatment was completed in one hour and 15 minutes. We are pleased to report that the patient and doctors went home very happy.
Cybernotes……………………
May 2005 • 2nd edition (continued)

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CyberKnife Educational Video Helps Ease the Anxiety of Treatment

The new CyberKnife Patient Educational Video, developed by Accuray, the CyberKnife Society and
CyberKnife Support Group, is used everyday by our Radiation Therapists to help explain all the
phases of procedure. When patients come to the center for pre-registration they are given a tour
of the treatment room and together with their therapist watch the video, who then answers
questions specific to their care. The high quality video is an excellent source of information and
includes segments on the treatment process for head/brain lesions, spinal lesions, lung and other
soft tissue, as well as the Synchrony system. Staff physicians can access this video by logging on
to: www.icvdigitalmedia.com/clients/cyberknife/online/radiosurgery/menu.htm#.

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Professor Giovanni Ambrosino Visits

Professor Giovanni Ambrosino, Director of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Department at San

Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy toured the CyberKnife Center of Miami on April 19th. Vicenza
Hospital was the first facility in Italy to develop a CyberKnife program. Dr. Ambrosino, a general
surgeon, has asked the CyberKnife Center of Miami to join his Phase 1 study for the Treatment of
Locally Invasive Liver Tumors, Primary or Metastatic; and Phase 1, second study on the Treatment of
Locally Invasive Pancreatic Tumors. Staff physicians interested in participating in these studies should
contact Dr. James Schwade, who will be initiating this multi-site project.

Are you a member of the

Our Executive Director is CyberKnife® Society?
recognized for bringing
The CyberKnife Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to
CyberKnife technology to bringing together diverse CyberKnife users and medical
South Florida professionals affiliated with radiosurgery worldwide to foster
scholarly exchange and share clinical information pertaining to
CyberKnife Radiosurgical ablation and to educate patients
James Schwade, MD has earned a prestigious nomination in the 16th about radiosurgery.
Annual Florida Medical Business Golden Stethoscope Awards in the
Membership advantages:
category of Best Physician Entrepreneur. Dr. Schwade was one of only 5 • Annual User’s Meeting
• Protocol development
nominees selected from a statewide pool of over 50,000 physicians,
• Clinical database compiling data on CK cases
hospital executives and medical professionals comprising the state's • New application development
• Web site serving physicians, CK society members
healthcare industry. The winners will be announced the night of the Awards • Awards/Recognition/Prizes
Ceremony, Friday, May 20th, at DCOTA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. • Publications, research grants

For more info contact: (408) 716-4663

Congratulations Jim! admin@cksociety.org www.cksociety.org

7867 North Kendall Drive, Suite 105 • Miami, Florida 33156 • 305-279-2900 • www.cyberknifemiami.com