Clinical Trials
In order to conduct phase I and phase II gene
therapy clinical trials, the Gene Therapy program at LSUHSC-Shreveport has recently
completed renovations on the third floor of the LSUHSC-Shreveport Hospital.
This clinical unit includes:
1. Four fully isolated protective isolation hospital rooms, each designed
for two patients. These rooms are each equipped with separate HEPA air filters
and direct external air ventilation systems. Each room is equipped with a private
lavatory and shower, a small refrigerator for the use of the patient, and reclining
armchairs for visitors. Patients in isolation are treated in their own rooms.
Each isolation room has an adjacent anteroom, where visitors and staff may wash
hands, and don clean coats and masks. The rooms are designed to offer patients
a friendly and comfortable environment, and are fully equipped with oxygen,
compressed air, suction, and ECG monitors to provide emergency assistance, should
the need arise. Computer systems are also accessible from each of the unit's
rooms.
2. An outpatient treatment room, equipped for both routine and emergency
care, as well as invasive diagnostic procedures (such as bronchoscopy), or for
diagnosis and follow-up.
3. A nursing area, which includes a nurse's station, a room for the head
nurse, and a staff room for nursing personnel.
4. A small clinical laboratory with a Class II biosafety cabinet for
the dispensing of gene therapy reagents and handling of diagnostic material,
as well as for conducting bedside clinical lab assessment (e.g. urinalysis or
blood smear microscopy, etc.).
