Syracuse hospitals fight infection with human waste

Doctors at St. Joseph’s and Crouse hospitals are part of a small group of physicians performing feces transplants to patients who suffer from severe C. diff, which is highly contagious and rampant in healthcare facilities, reports Syracuse.com, and costs U.S. healthcare about $1 billion annually.

Advertisement

Borys Buniak, MD, at St. Joseph’s, performed the procedure and said patients often ask him if he is kidding when suggesting fecal transplant, reports Syracuse.com. The FDA considers this an experimental procedure, which can eliminate the infection by restoring the colon.

St. Joseph’s has performed 15 fecal transplants since 2012 and Crouse has performed 13, reports Syracuse.com, and there are roughly 100 doctors in the nation who perform this transplant.

Adam Berg, MD, performed his first fecal transplant at Crouse, which was a success. “Bacteria were once considered the enemy,” Dr. Berg told Syracuse.com. “Now we are using bacteria to fight disease. That’s a fundamental shift in medicine.”

More articles on gastroenterology:
7 things for gastroenterologists to know for today – March 20, 2015
What are the best investment ideas for gastroenterologists?
Olympus faces 5 lawsuits in wake of UCLA outbreak

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in GI & Endoscopy

  • Birmingham (Ala.) Gastroenterology has opened a clinic in Jasper, Ala., expanding access to digestive health services in the region, the…

  • Premier Health Partners has acquired Dayton, Ohio-based Digestive Specialists, according to a notice posted on the website of law firm…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.