Uncategorized Archives - Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/category/uncategorized/ Southern California Leader in Minimally Invasive Urology Mon, 04 May 2020 17:35:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.7 ACCURACY OF ONLINE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS…WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS? https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/accuracy-of-online-diagnostic-tests-for-urinary-tract-infections-what-are-the-limitations/ Mon, 04 May 2020 17:35:02 +0000 https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/?p=3368 One of the aftermaths of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased use of Telehealth Medicine.  At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center and Western States HIFU, that is nothing new.  We have been offering telehealth (communications) for more than 5 years!  In fact, we are the first urology practice in the United States to do so. […]

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Telehealth Consultations at Pacific Coast Urology Medical CenterOne of the aftermaths of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased use of Telehealth Medicine.  At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center and Western States HIFU, that is nothing new.  We have been offering telehealth (communications) for more than 5 years!  In fact, we are the first urology practice in the United States to do so.

As telehealth availability expands, it’s important to keep in mind its limitations.  Recently, a trusted associate sent me a link for a home use Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) diagnostic test.

While I cannot attest to the accuracy or validity of this test, I do have some important points to give you.

  • If the test results are valid, they are only appropriate for the occasional, uncomplicated UTIs that women get.
  • It is NEVER appropriate for a man – all male UTIs are typically due to incomplete bladder emptying that is most often related to an enlarged prostate requiring further evaluation.
  • For the women that we see in our practice, they usually have a history of COMPLICATED UTIs with underlying causes including:
    1. Narrow urethra – the mechanical obstruction of a narrow urethra at any age that prevents complete bladder emptying.
    2. Underlying medical conditions like diabetes, kidney stones, etc.
    3. Spinal cord problems – that prevents proper communication between the brain and the bladder.
    4. Having repeated UTIs – infections that resolve with antibiotics but reoccur.
    5. Having unresolved infections – infections that are not resolved with antibiotics.
    6. Being peri-menopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal. Hormone changes dramatically increase the likelihood of UTIs.
    7. Inadequate fluid intake.
    8. Being overweight.
    9. Urinary leakage (urinary incontinence) – the presence of urine in your underwear or “protective” garments can be an area of bacterial growth.
    10. Sexual activity.
    11. Stool leakage (fecal incontinence) – the presence of bacteria from feces can travel up into the bladder and cause infections.
    12. Pelvic radiation history.
    13. Where you live – if you are in an assisted living facility, the rate of recurrent infections is dramatically higher.

While these are just a few of the factors that can cause a UTI, please know that recurrent urinary tract infections:

  1. Can cause damage to your bladder and kidneys
  2. Can result in hospitalization
  3. Can increase antibiotic resistance

RECOMMENDATIONS

If you have an uncomplicated UTI, talk to your primary care doctor about home-based tests.

If you have complicated UTIs, call us because earlier interventions can prevent long-term complications.

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Evans Tran PA-C, Participates in her 5th Annual Medical Mission to Bacoor, Cavite from January 20-25, 2020 https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/evans-tran-pa-c-participates-in-her-5th-annual-medical-mission-to-bacoor-cavite-from-january-20-25-2020/ Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:18:00 +0000 https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/?p=3258 Evans Tran, Physician Assistant at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, is preparing for her 5th annual medical mission to Bacoor, Cavite in the Philippines.  Sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California missionary group, Evans will join a  team of medical providers including physicians, dentists, optometrists, nurses and other allied health professionals to provide much needed medical […]

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Evans joins surgical team.

Evans Tran, Physician Assistant at Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, is preparing for her 5th annual medical mission to Bacoor, Cavite in the Philippines.  Sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California missionary group, Evans will join a  team of medical providers including physicians, dentists, optometrists, nurses and other allied health professionals to provide much needed medical care, surgical services and health educations to residents of Bacoor in the Philippines. The missionary group consists of volunteer professionals from Northern California and local doctors from Manila. Last year, Evans worked with 186 medical and support volunteers to provide medical care to more than 7,000 residents of Boyambong.  Hundreds of surgeries were performed and continuing medical education was provided to local physicians.

“I am thrilled to, once again, work alongside so many dedicated physicians and healthcare professionals who donate countless hours to the care of patients with such limited resources,” says Evans. “It is very gratifying to help those in need and I sincerely thank Dr. Pugach for his ongoing support, sponsorship and donation of medical supplies to the medical mission trip each year. I also received donations from Los Alamitos Medical Center, the Los Alamitos Surgery Center, some of our patients and close friends that I cannot be more pleased about.”

Evans is a remarkable woman who each year brings her professional healthcare expertise to help men and women in the Philippines who are in need. I couldn’t be more proud of her commitment and dedication!

About the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California

The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California assists the indigent communities who have little or no access to medical care. They have been conducting community outreach programs and medical missions to selected rural areas in the Philippines since 1986. This amazing organization relies mostly on volunteer hours and donations from private individuals, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.

 

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How do you select a doctor to treat your prostate cancer? The number of rating stars on review sites is NOT enough! https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/select-doctor-treat-prostate-cancer-number-rating-stars-review-sites-not-enough/ Fri, 12 Aug 2016 02:19:10 +0000 http://www.pacificcoasturology.com/?p=1653 The number of rating stars on review sites is NOT enough! Perhaps you have visited some of the many physician reputation and rating sites that are found on the Internet. You may have even looked at websites that rate doctors along with restaurants, cleaners and other businesses.  While these sites may be useful to give […]

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The number of rating stars on review sites is NOT enough!

Perhaps you have visited some of the many physician reputation and rating sites that are found on the Internet. You may have even looked at websites that rate doctors along with restaurants, cleaners and other businesses.  While these sites may be useful to give you some information about doctors they should not necessarily be viewed as correct or reliable.

Unfortunately, the experience of a patient I recently saw for a follow up visit is not uncommon.  I diagnosed his prostate cancer several months ago and we discussed treatment options, including radical surgery, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), cryoablation, and radiation.  He chose to have a robotic radical prostatectomy at a hospital in southern California.

When he returned to see me post-operatively, the news was not good.  He is now totally incontinent.  He wears 6 – 12 diapers every day.  He no longer gets erections.  When I asked him why he chose the doctor who performed his robotic surgery he said “he has 5 stars on the Internet so he has to be good.”

When he asked me if HIFU was still an option because of the low incontinence and ED rates, I told him that it would not help him after surgery.  He is now looking at a life of urinary incontinence or further surgical procedures including placement of an artificial urinary sphincter or a urethral mesh.  Both can have significant side effects and complications.  I also had to tell him that he will no longer get spontaneous erections.

I wanted to learn more about the impact these rating/review sites are having on patient’s decision making process.  I read an informative article in Urology, a medical journal.  The authors evaluated the outcomes of surgical procedures at hospitals that had been well ranked in US News and World Health Report, Healthgrades (a popular health website) and Consumer Reports.  The first two had very poor correlation with surgical outcomes including hospital readmission, surgical complication and death rates.  Consumer Reports had a fair correlation with readmission rates.

It is important to note that none of the healthcare reputation sites on the Internet, and no consumer publication, has access to the information that’s important in making a selection of a physician.  They do not know what physicians and medical professionals discuss in surgery department meetings or hospital quality improvement committees.

So, if you can’t rely on the information that’s published by these uninformed sources, and if you want to avoid the life changing side effects experienced by my patient, what can you do?

One good source is other patients who have had procedures like you may be contemplating.  If you do not have a family member or friend as a resource, I routinely ask other patients to discuss their experiences with patients contemplating a procedure.

Most importantly, it’s having confidence in your doctor to provide accurate information about the potential side effects and complications of any given procedure.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  And be certain to ask your doctor how much experience he or she has with a specific surgical procedure.   Ask how many cases he or she has done.  Ask about the results.  The information will be helpful to you in making an informed decision.

To learn more about prostate cancer and advanced treatments, call us to schedule an appointment, in person or online, with Dr. Robert Pugach.  He is one of the most experienced HIFU practitioners in the world and offers HIFU to patients from across the United States and around the world.

Western States HIFU, located in Los Alamitos, CA is the most experienced HIFU prostate cancer treatment center west of the Mississippi!

Call for more information at 1-844-HIFUDOC (1-844-443-8362).DrPugachsurgical center

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HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (HIFU) FOR PROSTATE CANCER EDUCATIONAL EVENT FOR PHYSICIANS https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/dr-pugach-and-hifu-prostate-services-introduce-physicians-to-hifu-for-prostate-cancer-educational-session/ Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:07:21 +0000 http://www.pacificcoasturology.com/?p=1389 On March 12, 2016, Dr. Pugach and Robert Colvin of HIFU Prostate Services* welcomed physicians to the Los Alamitos Surgical Center to learn more about High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).  The purpose of this educational open house was to educate physicians on how HIFU works and the advantages of the HIFU procedure for prostate cancer.  HIFU can cure cancer without […]

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On March 12, 2016, Dr. Pugach and Robert Colvin of HIFU Prostate Services* welcomed physicians to the Los Alamitos Surgical Center to learn more about High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).  The purpose of this educational open house was to educate physicians on how HIFU works and the advantages of the HIFU procedure for prostate cancer.  HIFU can cure cancer without the two common, life-altering side effects that radical surgery (robotic or traditional) and radiation can cause.

DrPugachsurgical centerRobert G. Pugach, MD is the medical director of Western States HIFU, LLC. Dr. Pugach is acknowledged as one of the most experienced HIFU practitioners in the world.  Dr. Pugach has been treating patients for more than 10 years with HIFU and he is the fourth most experienced HIFU physician in the United States. 

 

 

HIFU offers patients a minimally-invasive, outpatient, prostate cancer treatment option that has been seen to be as effective as surgery and radiation with fewer side effects such as impotence and incontinence.   HIFU is radiation free and designed as a one-time treatment, but can be repeated if needed and does not preclude any future therapy such as surgery or radiation.  

The initial treatment site for Western States HIFU, LLC is in Los Alamitos, California at the Los Alamitos Surgery Center. Renowned for its expert clinical staff, the anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians at the center pride themselves on providing personalized, expert care. 

Prostate cancer can be cured while keeping you dry and potent.   Experience Counts!

HIFU Invitation…Missed the event?  Call, 844.443.8362 to learn more about HIFU
HIFU-postcard-front-printA  

 

ABOUT HPS

*HIFU Prostate Services (HPS)  is the nation’s leading provider of minimally-invasive prostate cancer treatment using high intensity focused ultrasound. HPS 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

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Dr. Robert Pugach Hosts Holiday Luncheon for La Palma Intercommunity Hospital OR Staff https://www.pacificcoasturology.com/pacific-coast-urology-medical-center-hosts-holiday-luncheon-for-la-palma-intercommunity-hospital-or-staff/ Tue, 29 Dec 2015 17:21:27 +0000 http://www.pacificcoasturology.com/?p=1279 Evans Tran, PA for Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center  (PCUMC) in Los Alamitos, CA  joined the OR staff at  La Palma Intercommunity Hospital for a holiday luncheon.  Dr. Robert Pugach and Ms. Tran appreciate the professionalism of the OR staff and the quality care they provide to PCUMC’s  patients.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Evans Tran, PA for Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center  (PCUMC) in Los Alamitos, CA  joined the OR staff at  La Palma Intercommunity Hospital for a holiday luncheon.  Dr. Robert Pugach and Ms. Tran appreciate the professionalism of the OR staff and the quality care LPIH Holiday2they provide to PCUMC’s  patients.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LAMCEvans

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