Health Services – are applied sciences that address the use of science and technology in the delivery of healthcare to human beings. Here our focus revolves around the following.
Hepatitis C Treatment Clinic
Operational since 2006, PerCuro has one of the largest Hepatitis C Treatment Clinics in British Columbia. Specialized nurses work in cooperation with Hepatologists, Gastroenterologists and Infectious Disease specialists to provide testing, assessments (including FibroScan), disease and treatment counselling as well as monitoring and follow up post treatment. All advanced practice nurses working in this clinic are members of the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses and remain current in their practice through ongoing education to ensure the highest level of care available.With the recent news from BC Pharmacare that criteria restrictions have been lifted, all those suffering with Hepatitis C will now be eligible for treatment regardless of severity of their liver disease. Referral to our clinic ensures standardized and timely linkage to care for all.
Fibroscan
What is a FibroScan?A FibroScan is a non-invasive alternative to a liver biopsy. This scan is used to assess the level of fibrosis (stiffness or scarring) within your liver. This information is helpful in determining potential treatment options, and in monitoring the progression of disease over time. FibroScans are performed by a trained nurse at PerCuro Clinic.
What does a FibroScan Consist of?
• Prior to the scan, you must fast from solid foods for 2 hours
(clear fluids are okay)
• Laying on your back on the exam table, you raise your right arm
and rest it behind your head
• A nurse applies a water-based gel to the skin and places the
probe over your rib cage with a slight pressure
• The device generates 10 consecutive measurements taken at the
same location
• We forward the reported results to the referring physician
• FibroScan appointments generally last between 15 and 30 minutes
How do I book a FibroScan?
• FibroScans must be ordered by a physician
• Once we have received your completed referral, we will contact
you to book your appointment
• B.C. PharmaCare does not presently cover the cost of this test.
Therefore, any patient not currently diagnosed with active
Hepatitis C will be charged a $100 fee. *Please be advised
that we cannot process credit card, or cheque payments.
Physicians can obtain a current referral form by contacting:
FibroScan Program Coordinator
(P) 250-382-6270 ext. 2471 (F) 250-382-6273 (E) reception@percuro.ca
Fecal Calprotectin (August 1, 2020 Temporarily Suspended)
What is a Fecal Calprotectin Test? (August 1, 2020 Temporarily suspended)• A fecal calprotectin test is a non-invasive way to detect inflammation in the intestines to distinguish between IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases – Crohn’s/Colitis) and non-inflammatory bowel conditions. It is also used to monitor and evaluate your response to your treatment.
What is Calprotectin?
• Calprotectin is a biomarker indicating mucosal inflammation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) encompasses both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, both of which negatively impact daily life for a number of patients.The Victoria IBD Clinic was created as a result of an identified need to enhance IBD patient outcomes. Until recently there has been a lack of consistency and continuity of care for patients on Southern Vancouver Island. Our advanced practice IBD Nurses offer a unique service of regularly working in tandem with gastroenterologists in their private practice offices. Their presence ensures comprehensive care and education from diagnosis to treatment and ongoing monitoring. This parallel nursing service provides patient follow up within the PerCuro IBD clinic and allows time for patient support and education, while coordinating care. Our aim is to maximize patient/gastroenterologist interaction and foster timely access to care, in turn reducing the need for emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Our IBD nurses have been educated in their specialty at university hospitals denoted as centres of excellence in IBD and are members of the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
IBD nurses are available 5 days a week from 8:30 to 4:30 to listen to and assess an individual’s problem, liaising with the physician as required to ensure continuity of care.
Systemic Therapeutic Dermatology Clinic
PerCuro’s Dermatology Clinic was established in 2009 in response to the arrival of biologic therapies approved and covered by BC Pharmacare for Plaque Psoriasis. The approval for financial coverage came with a set of criteria which required comprehensive assessments, documentation of prior treatment with approved existing therapies and evidence of moderate to severe disease in spite of the use of available treatments.The Dermatology clinic is staffed by advanced practice nurses focusing on systemic treatments for moderate to severe conditions such as Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis and Hydradenitis Superativa. Nurses work closely with local dermatologists to ensure access to safe and effective treatment in a supportive environment. They are skilled in assessments required to evaluate the severity of the condition and the degree of improvement resulting from any given therapeutic regime. Patients are monitored for potential side effects and flares with nurses liaising with dermatologists to ensure ongoing comprehensive care.
On-Site Injection Service/Injection Teaching Service
Some medications require administration by a health care professional and others lend themselves well to in home self-administration. PerCuro Specialty Nurses offer both teaching sessions and ongoing administration services of many medications used in the treatment of chronic conditions.Teaching is provided in a quiet surrounding on a one on one basis whereby the nurse ensures the patient is comfortable with the process and she is satisfied the individual is competent to continue on their own. This will sometimes take more than one session and patients are offered further training if there is a need.
For some, the prospect of self-injection is very uncomfortable. The nurses at PerCuro can provide training to a family member or friend if required but should that not be an option, ongoing administration at PerCuro may be provided.
Infusion Clinic
PerCuro has been offering infusions since its inception in 2003 and prior to than in 2001 when it was known as Victoria Arthritis Study Group. We have offered access to life altering biologic therapies since that time to those suffering with inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Psoriasis to name a few.PerCuro also offers:
• Zoledronic Acid for prevention of osteoporosis
• Iron Infusions for Iron Deficiency Anemia
•Venofer – up to 300 mg may be administered in one infusion
•Monoferric – up to 1500mg may be administered in one infusion
Venofer Now Covered by BC Pharmacare
• Saline infusions – Patients may receive saline infusions ordered by a Medical Doctor, Nurse
Practitioner or Naturopathic Doctor Treatments may range from 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the
medication your doctor has prescribed so it is important that you be cared for in a safe,
comfortable environment staffed by professional nurses educated to understand not only the
medications but the condition it treats.
PerCuro offers infusions at our Courtenay, Duncan and Langford clinics as well .