LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Oct. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Los Alamitos Medical Center is adding the use of HIFU for prostate cancer treatment. HIFU, or high intensity focused ultrasound, focuses sound waves to a specific point where the prostatic tissue is heated rapidly and ideally destroyed. Earlier this year, a Medicare code was issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that may help some patients cover part of the cost of the HIFU procedure.
“HIFU is an important addition to our hospital’s comprehensive program for treating all types of cancer. Now, men looking for a one-time, outpatient procedure can have the HIFU treatment at our hospital,” said Jeff Robey, chief strategic officer at Los Alamitos Medical Center.
Local urologist and HIFU expert, Robert Pugach, M.D. treated the first HIFU patient on October 14 at Los Alamitos Medical Center. “The announcement by CMS that Medicare patients will have their facility fees covered is an important milestone,” said Pugach. “Medicare patients will now have a minimally-invasive HIFU procedure as an option for treatment.”
Dr. Pugach has been involved in nearly 500 HIFU treatments over the last 10 years. However, his experience with HIFU doesn’t stop with being a doctor, he also is a prostate cancer survivor. When he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer earlier this year year, he chose to have the HIFU procedure himself in May 2017.
“When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, it was at a very early stage because I was proactive in having regular prostate cancer screening. The treatment choice was easy – I wanted HIFU to preserve my normal quality of life,” said Pugach. “That was the HIFU advantage for me – I could resume normal activities while minimizing side effects of other prostate cancer treatments.”
HIFU is a one-time, radiation-free procedure that allows patients to return home shortly after their treatment. “We are excited to work with the team at Los Alamitos Medical Center to offer HIFU to the prostate cancer patients of Southern California. The addition of Los Alamitos Medical Center will help us meet the demand,” commented John Linn, chief executive officer of HIFU Prostate Services.
About Los Alamitos Medical Center
Opened in 1968, Los Alamitos Medical Center is a 167-bed acute care hospital located at 3751 Katella Ave in Los Alamitos. The medical center offers a wide range of programs for families – from birthing suites to senior programs. Medical services include 24-hour emergency department, Birthing Center; cardiology, including a cardiac catheterization/angiography suite; neurointerventional suite, comprehensive cancer services; respiratory; an on-site laboratory; MRI and open MRI; CT Scan; PET Scan; inpatient physical therapy; secured geropsychiatry unit, wound healing and hyperbarics, robot-assisted surgery, and others. The hospital is part of an integrated medical campus that includes four medical office buildings and the Total Care Pavilion. The Total Care Pavilion is home to the hospital’s Cancer Center, Infusion Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, and pre-op services. Radiation oncology physician services are provided by UCLA Health. A Health Care Center located within the Seal Beach Leisure World community is part of the campus too. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency and received five consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Scores from the Leapfrog Group. Los Alamitos Medical Center also offers a support groups specifically for men with prostate cancer. Learn more at www.losalamitosmedctr.com.
About HIFU Prostate Services, LLC
HIFU Prostate Services was founded to provide men access to a less invasive treatment option for prostate cancer that has the ability to eliminate cancer and preserve patient quality of life. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality of care, support, and technology to the patient and to the urology community for the treatment of localized prostate cancer using Sonablate® HIFU. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC and with locations in 12 cities throughout the US. Learn more at http://www.hifuprostateservices.com.
Media Contacts
Los Alamitos Medical Center
Susan Morales, Director – Marketing & Communications
Susan.Morales@tenethealth.com
(562) 799-3573
HIFU Prostate Services
John Linn, 704-248-7562
