Emphasizing prompt and efficient treatment of urinary stones
The University of Michigan Division of Endourology is one of the largest, if not the largest, endourology groups in the United States. The team includes five urologists specializing in adult endourology and one member of the U-M Division of Pediatric Urology sub-specializing in endourology. Together, we perform more than 1,000 stone procedures annually. While maintaining this high volume, the team is focused on prompt and efficient care for patients with urinary stones. “We want to offer the best treatment right away, minimizing the duration of pain and suffering, and getting folks back on their feet again as quickly as possible,” says J. Stuart Wolf Jr., M.D., David A. Bloom Professor of Urology and head of the Division of Endourology and Stone Disease.
The Division has recently rolled out three new patient-centered initiatives:
- The first is a collaboration with the University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine. “Many patients with painful kidney stones are otherwise healthy,” Wolf explains. “Once they are evaluated in the Emergency Department, they can often be scheduled for a stone removal procedure with only a phone consultation with one of our stone specialists.” This approach reduces the wait time for definitive surgery, bringing down costs and improving patient satisfaction.
- In a related initiative, U-M endourology specialists are often available even when not “on call” to assist with rapid treatment of patients with pain so severe that they are admitted to the hospital emergently. “Treating the stone immediately, rather than just temporizing with a stent or a tube, is another way to reduce pain and save costs,” says Wolf.
- Finally, the Endourology Division now provides both shock-wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy at the U-M Livonia Center for Specialty Care. As Dr. Wolf explains, “This center operates much more efficiently for these outpatient procedures than the main hospital, allowing us to get patients in and out quickly. Adding this site has greatly expanded patient access to the advanced stone care that we provide.”
To speak directly with a University of Michigan endourology specialist 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, call M-Line at 800-962-3555.