Niagara residents are getting access to the latest COVID-19 treatment options because of the numerous clinical trials and research studies happening at Niagara Health.
Since the early weeks of the pandemic, the Niagara Health team has been creating opportunities for our patients to participate in clinical trials related to COVID-19.
Clinical trials are research studies involving patient participants that aim to find out whether a medical treatment is safe and effective for people.
“We know research has a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of the people who live in our communities, providing important information about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment and patterns of care, and more,” says Dr. Johan Viljoen, Niagara Health Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President Medical. “The opportunity for our patients to be part of these clinical trials is important for discovering new and effective treatments for COVID-19.”
Examples of COVID-19 clinical trials and studies currently happening at Niagara Health:
CATCO Study: Evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of ritonavir/lopinavir (kaletra) and remdesivir in hospitalized patients. The clinical trial is being conducted in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s Solidarity trial. Solidarity is one of the largest international trials for COVID-19 treatments.
REMAP-CAP Study: Evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of various COVID-19 treatment in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, including the use of corticosteroid.
COVI-Prone Study: Examining the benefits of prone positioning (lying on stomach) for COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure, and whether it reduces the need for mechanical ventilation.
ACT (Anti-Coronavirus Therapies to prevent progression of COVID-19 Trial): Studying whether treatment with certain medicines can prevent the need to be admitted to hospital or for an intensive level of care.
Research at Niagara Health
Niagara Health has been a leader when it comes to research in a community hospital setting, working closely with its academic partners. Our dedicated Research Office, which was launched in 2015, was established to strengthen our research and academic partnerships and set out to conduct research that would inform care, inspire innovation and create environments of collaborative learning. Research and clinical trials are taking place in several Niagara Health departments/divisions, including the Intensive Care Unit, Oncology, Urology, Cardiology and Emergency Medicine.
