Coordinating Multiple Specialties in a Single Location to Streamline Care for ALS Patients
SLUCare ALS Clinic is a Certified Center of Excellence and the only ALS Association-certified clinic in St. Louis. We offer a team approach to care, coordinating services to diagnose and treat patients, while also conducting research and clinical trials in an effort to find a cure.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease that attacks nerve cells, the brain and spinal cord. While it does not usually affect a person's mind or senses, it does impact their ability to use muscles, restricting movement of the limbs and body, including the muscles required for swallowing and breathing.
Due to the complexity of the disease, diagnosing and treating ALS patients requires the expertise of many different medical specialists.
In the SLUCare ALS Clinic, our team includes:
- Neurologists specializing in neuromuscular disorders
- Neuromuscular clinical nurse
- Neuropsychologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Pulmonologist
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
- Speech/language pathologist
- Respiratory therapist
- Dietitian
- Social worker
By bringing together this team of experts in a single location, we are able to coordinate treatment for ALS patients and address their wide-ranging needs in one visit, rather than multiple appointments. For qualified patients, we are now able to offer follow-up visits with our team via telemedicine, easing the burden of traveling to the clinic for care.
Our ALS team works in conjunction with the patient's primary care physician to develop a treatment plan that maximizes function and maintains the highest possible quality of life.
Coordinating care with experts across many different specialties is beneficial not only for patients, but as an example of the positive impact of multidisciplinary care as we teach the next generation of physicians.
Advantages of an ALS Certified Center of Excellence
- Central point of care for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
- Advanced testing capabilities, including electrophysiological testing of muscles and nerves, for accurate diagnosis
- Specialized services for patients with ALS and related disorders
- Participation in clinical trials, where patients can access new drug therapies
- Education for patients and their families about the ALS disease process, treatment options and research
- Access to medical device representatives, as needed
Working Toward a Cure
As part of an academic medical practice and as an ALS Certified Center of Excellence, our ALS treatment team includes Saint Louis University researchers who are actively seeking a cure for this devastating disease.
For information about current ALS clinical trials, call 314-977-4900.
Contact the SLUCare ALS Clinic
To learn more or to request an appointment, call 314-977-6082.
SLUCare ALS Clinic Location
Center for Specialized Medicine
1225 South Grand
St. Louis, MO 63104
314-977-6082
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