Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center

Los Robles Hospital Enters Into Cardiac Clinical Trials

Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center was recently chosen as one of only 275 centers throughout the world to participate in a global clinical trial to determine if a special type of pacemaker, called the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) pacemaker, may keep a patient's heart failure from getting worse.

The clinical trial, known as the MIRACLE EF study, focuses on men and women 18 years and older with moderate to severe heart failure and whose hearts pump blood inefficiently. The study will determine if getting the CRT pacemaker is better than not getting the treatment.

“We’re extremely pleased to be included as the first clinical trial site in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties,” stated Carlos Alves, M.D., electrophysiologist on staff at Los Robles Hospital. “Being able to offer our community this opportunity is indicative of the superior quality of cardiac care provided by the physicians and staff at Los Robles Hospital.”

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CRT pacemaker is produced by Medtronics, Inc., a global developer and manufacturer of innovative medical device technology and therapies to treat chronic disease worldwide

According to Medtronic representatives, up to 2,300 patients at approximately 275 centers throughout the world – including in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and developing markets – will be enrolled in the trial. Patients will be followed for at least two years or until close of the study. The trial is expected to take four to five years to complete.

Stated Professor Cecilia Linde of Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm and worldwide principal investigator in the trial,"Through this large global study, we hope to further our research on the overall effectiveness of CRT-P by showing its benefit in treating patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure symptoms, but with milder impairment of heart pumping capacity than previously studied."

For information on qualifying for the clinical trial, contact Nancy Weeks, R.N., database manager and research coordinator at Los Robles Hospital at 805-497-2727.

An Overview of the Early Signs of Autism in Children

April is National Autism Awareness Month, so Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center is raising awareness with a brief look at the warning signs for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). These conditions—including autism and Asperger’s—are characterized by social and behavioral difficulties along with high sensory sensitivity that can have a significant impact on daily activities. When autism is recognized early, however, parents are given a better opportunity to learn strategies and therapies to help their children live with ASDs. Below are some of the earliest indicators that a child has a behavioral disorder on the autism spectrum.

Lack of interest in play
Children generally express interest in playing pretend or role playing type games by the age of 18 months, but children with autism do not tend to play in this way. They may also have trouble communicating with others, which may be shown through a disinterest in playing with other children.

Obsessive or repetitive interests
It is common for children with autism to move in repetitive ways by rocking back and forth, spinning, or excessively repeating the same words or phrases. Your child may also develop an obsessive interest in one particular hobby, refusing to participate in other activities.

Unresponsiveness to name
By the age of 12 months, children generally respond to their names and show development in language skills through gestures such as waving and clapping. If your child has autism, he or she may not communicate in that way and might also avoid eye contact, resist physical contact, and show a poor understanding of spatial boundaries.

While these behaviors may be seen in children who do not have autism, it is best to seek pediatric care to discover the reasons your child is not behaving in typical ways for his or her age group. To find a doctor for your child, contact Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line by calling (877) 888-5746.

Non-Healing Sores, Wounds & Peripheral Arterial Disease

No matter what the origin, sores and wounds that won’t heal can lead to serious health issues, if not treated appropriately. This is also true for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) which is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that results in poor blood flow to your arms and legs. Join Dr. Guo as he addresses these health issues on Thursday, April 18th from 9-10 AM at The Oaks Shopping Center.

Join us for “Health Chats”, a free community health seminar, every third & fourth Thursday of the month at the Oaks Mall.  Enter the mall at the southwest side near Nordstrom’s Department Store

What Are the Most Important Vaccines for Infants?

Before your baby is even born, you and your pediatrician may discuss an immunization schedule that begins at birth. This schedule consists of a number of important vaccinations that will keep your child safe, healthy, and eligible for enrollment in school.

Here are some of the earliest vaccinations that your child will need to follow the recommended schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HepB
The HepB vaccine protects your child from hepatitis B, which is a very serious virus that can destroy the liver. The first dose of this immunization will be given at birth, and the final dose should be scheduled when your child is between 6 and 18 months old.

DTaP
DTaP is a combination vaccine given at the ages of two, four, and six months with boosters at 15 months and 4 years. This vaccine provides protection from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It is of particular importance because recent outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) among infants have been seen in various regions throughout the country. While this condition is generally not life-threatening, it can be painful for children and persist for a period of several months.

Influenza
While flu may not be serious for adults, it can be a significant threat for infants with less immunity. Therefore, children may receive influenza vaccinations beginning at the age of six months, and these vaccines are given annually to protect from the most prominent flu strains of each new flu season.

MMR
The MMR, or Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine, is another combination vaccine that protects from these three illnesses that could be life-threatening for children. This vaccination is administered at 12 months, and one dose will generally protect an individual from these viruses for life.

To schedule immunizations for your infant or find a pediatrician who can answer your questions about your baby’s health, contact Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. By calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line, you can explore our specialized pediatric care services, find a doctor, and sign up for healthy living classes and events at our hospital. You can also connect with us on our website by following this link.

Why Rapid Medical Care Is a Top Priority in the ER

When you or a family member is in need of emergency care, every second counts between the onset of an illness or injury and its treatment. At Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, we understand that emergency care needs to be readily available without long wait times and uncertainty in patient care. We have streamlined our Emergency Department and Level II Trauma Center with experienced physicians and nurses, advanced medical technologies, and better patient communication systems so that we are able to provide some of the lowest average ER wait times in the country. Here is a closer look at the reasons we are committed to this level of care.

Fast care saves lives.
Patients who are experiencing heart attack or stroke symptoms need immediate care for an accurate diagnosis and prevention of permanent damage or fatality. Every moment saved in providing treatment can preserve lives and improve the quality of a patient’s life as he or she begins rehabilitation.

Wait times should not prevent care.
A common reason for people to avoid going to the ER is long wait times, but this should not ever prevent an individual from getting the care that he or she needs. Los Robles Hospital is dedicated to reducing wait times far below the national average so that patients do not have to wait more than 15 minutes before seeing a nurse or doctor.

ERs treat a wide range of conditions.
People may need to head to the ER for ailments ranging from the flu to life-threatening trauma, which means that a high volume of patients are always being treated in this department. Therefore, care needs to be organized and streamlined so that no patient is neglected when immediate medical attention is a necessity.

To explore more of the services and accolades of the Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center Emergency Department, visit our website today. You can also stay connected to our ER by texting “ER” to 23000 or downloading our iTriage Symptom Checker app. For quick answers to your medical questions, call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (877) 888-5746.