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CSTAR expands its programs into China

London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics) recently announced an international expansion of its programs in collaboration with West China Hospital (WCH), one of the world’s largest acute care facilities. Situated in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, WCH has more than 4,300 beds. In 2009, it performed over 69,000 inpatient surgeries and treated over 2.73 million outpatients.

A memorandum of understanding between CSTAR and WCH was described at the semi-annual CSTAR Industry Roundtable that took place in June, 2010. Part of this agreement is for CSTAR to provide education and expert support to help WCH become accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

“My colleagues at West China Hospital are committed to the international standards of patient care quality and safety. CSTAR’s simulation training expertise will provide West China Hospital with the means to attain this standard,” says Dr. John Denstedt, Chair/Chief Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London.

CSTAR also announced it is collaborating with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to establish a CSTAR office at West China Hospital. The purpose of this office is to facilitate medical device research, validation and training.

Dr. John Denstedt, Chair/Chief Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario, and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, examines a patient's X-rays before surgery.

“London is uniquely positioned to market highly specialized services such as device validation because it can provide access to high quality patient care, advanced medical academics and research that is done collaboratively between hospitals and the university. I see CSTAR’s role as not only providing the means to validate medical devices, but to bring together and strengthen partnerships between organizations who share a common interest in advancing safe patient care,” explains John Parker, Director of CSTAR.

CSTAR and West China Hospital are both preparing a joint CSTAR-WCH Industry Roundtable that will be held in November 2010 at West China Hospital. Participants to the CSTAR Industry Roundtable currently include senior industry, academic, and government representatives from Canada, China, Israel, Sweden and the United States. Its purpose is to create a transparent venue for representatives to explore relevant and innovative opportunities that are mutually beneficial.

“The partnership between CSTAR and West China Hospital signals international expansion of CSTAR’s programs and services into China. This positions CSTAR, LHSC and London as international leaders in medical device research and validation. It also provides us opportunity to expand our successful model for education and simulation training,” adds Cliff Nordal, President and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre.

Dr. Roberto Hernandez-Alejandro (centre) and colleagues perform surgery at West China Hospital (WCH) as part of CSTAR's agreement to provide education and expert support to help WCH become accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

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