Better scheduling improves care and satisfaction

After surgery, total joint replacement patients must complete a rigorous schedule of physical and occupational therapies to regain normal functioning. The third day after surgery is particularly busy because patients require both therapies, as well as testing in the peripheral vascular lab and X-ray. Loyola’s orthopaedic case managers discovered that only 50 percent of patients were able to complete their required physical therapy treatments on the third day. Working with physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, the vascular lab, patient transport, discharge planning and the dietary department, a quality team devised and implemented an effective, integrated schedule. Within six months, patients were completing 100 percent of their physical therapy appointments on the third day after surgery. 
How can society apply genetic technology in a manner that will not contradict our moral or ethical being? Kevin FitzGerald, Ph.D., S.J., Loyola’s nationally recognized expert on medical ethics, is helping find the answers. 


DEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF GENETIC RESEARCH

As scientists forge new frontiers in genetics, complex moral and ethical questions 
continually arise. Kevin FitzGerald, Ph.D., S.J., a genetic researcher, ethicist and Jesuit priest, is uniquely prepared to understand the issues.

According to FitzGerald, genetic technology presents a unique problem: it has the potential not only to challenge our concept of human nature but to change human nature itself. He believes our society must decide how to use that incredible potential to bring about benefits — without doing harm. To decide, we must answer some very difficult questions such as, What makes us human? Who do we want to become? And what kind of society do we want to be? 

On the national level, FitzGerald is a recognized authority on medical ethics and genetics. He has testified before Congress and has advised both the American Academy for the Advancement of Science and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. In the laboratory at Loyola, FitzGerald works with Manuel Diaz, M.D. Together they research the MLL gene, which, when mutated, is a major cause of leukemia in infants. 

When teaching at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, FitzGerald carefully integrates ethics into scientific application. He teaches medical genetics as well as a course titled Genetics and Ethics. FitzGerald strives to help people understand the delicate balance between making scientific progress and causing potential harm. 

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