Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1048847
T M C » P U L S E | N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 32 The UTMB Opioid Stewardship team, a result of the task force, is engaged in an awareness campaign. That work includes monitoring resources like the Texas PMP AWARxE system, a prescription monitoring solution to help identify people who may be going to multi- ple doctors for the same medication, and incorporating that data into electronic health records. Team members are also exploring prescribing habits and opioid use. "Most people need a little pain medication to get them through a surgery, but maybe that's just three days' worth rather than a 90-day supply," Harvey said. "We aren't trying to do a witch hunt—we want people to get their medication— we just recognize it is one of the problems out there." Relief at the push of a button Simply moving can be difficult for people in chronic pain, as can getting a good night's rest. Richard Hanbury, who lived with chronic pain for 22 years as the result of a life-threatening car accident which left him in a wheel- chair, now uses his experience to help others. As the founder and CEO of Sana Health, a medical device company attached to the Texas Medical Center's TMCx accelerator program for health care startups, Hanbury is developing a non-invasive pain relief device that resembles virtual reality goggles. Using neuro- modulated light and sound stim- ulation, the goggles help patients with severe pain enter a state of deep relaxation in about 10 minutes, which then reduces pain levels. Hanbury says the device brings the patient to an "altered state of consciousness," likening the expe- rience to watching a good movie or being engrossed in a sports match. The first day he used the goggles, there was some trial and error, though he still managed to snatch a couple of pain-free minutes. Over time, as the team calibrated the device, Hanbury said those minutes turned into hours and now he is able to enjoy long periods without pain. "I get normal pain, but I don't have any nerve damage anymore," he said, adding that the device was "literally life-saving. It's given me freedom and more control of my life." Sana Health is currently con- ducting a clinical trial at Mount Most people need a little pain medication to get them through a surgery, but maybe that's just three days' worth rather than a 90-day supply. We aren't trying to do a witch hunt—we want people to get their medication—we just recognize it is one of the problems out there. — EDYTHE HARVEY, M.D. Addiction psychiatrist at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) Sinai Hospital in New York and is moving toward U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the goggles. Hanbury will be demon- strating the goggles at the TMCx Demo Day event on Nov. 14 at the TMC Innovation Institute. _ _ Medical Center 2035 A Sheridan $1,195,000 5 Bedrooms 5.5 Baths Medical Center 2035 B Sheridan $1,299,000 5/6 Bedrooms 6.5 Baths _ _ _ NATALIE MALLA 832.526.6266 natalie@thereynagroup.com Healthy patients and a healthy business. At Commerce Bank, we have the experience to manage the unique financial challenges of the healthcare industry. Contact Latrice Tubbs, Senior Vice President of Healthcare Banking, at 832.594.6442 to learn more about: • Interest-free patient financing • Simplifying complex revenue cycle management • Optimizing payment processes • Payment and healthcare financing options commercebank.com © 2018 Commerce Bancshares, Inc. WF276731 Texas Medical Center Latrice Tubbs Ad 4.3125x5.8125.indd 1 10/4/2018 9:31:13 AM