Scott Webb (Host): In Ventura County, recent data shows that about 13% of Medicare beneficiaries are living with cancer, which places Ventura, among the less favorable areas in California in terms of cancer prevalence. With cancer remaining a significant burden for our community, the opening of the expanded Community Memorial Cancer Center is part of a timely effort to bring more advanced patient-centered treatments to residents right here, close to home.

And joining me today to tell us more is medical oncologist, Dr. Karlos Oregel and Ambulatory Services Clinical Manager, Tracie Funk.

 Welcome to Wise and Well, presented by Community Memorial Healthcare. I'm Scott Webb.

It's really nice to have you both here today. We're going to talk about the new infusion center and everything that folks need to know about that at Community Memorial Hospital and the Community Memorial Cancer Center. So to kick things off, Doctor, maybe you could walk us through the unmet needs and gaps in cancer care in Ventura that inspired the development of the expanded Community Memorial Cancer Center.

Karlos Oregel, MD: You know, Ventura County, like many communities in the United States, there's a big need to see oncology and, you know, just to give you an idea, from the moment patients are diagnosed, usually through their primary care doctor to the time they start any type of therapy, it's about six weeks.

So it, you know, that's kind of like the main goal of opening the cancer center here at Community Memorial Hospital was to improve access to our community. And many patients currently are traveling outside of the area for specialty care, for clinical trials, for advancements in treatments.

We wanted to change that. So, you know, CMH expanded their services to try to keep everything under one roof so patients can receive the same level of care you find in a major academic center, but close to home.

Host: Yeah, I love that. The sort of one stop shopping approach, if you will. I want to have you tell us more about the programs and services that are available at the Community Memorial Cancer Center?

Karlos Oregel, MD: We tried to build a comprehensive cancer center here. Currently we have obviously medical oncology, which is the services we provide. But we also have gynecology oncology, and in addition to radiation oncology through Cabrillo radiation oncology. In addition to the many surgeons who kind of support us in trying to take care of our patients. We have a new infusion center, which offers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive infusions in a very comfortable and calm setting.

And through our partnership with Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Center, patients can receive sophisticated radiation treatments without leaving the county. And that's very important. We also have a cancer resource center with nurse navigators, support groups, classes, a WIC bank, and a resource library so patients can have support beyond the medical side of cancer.

Host: So Tracie I want to have you tell us a little bit more about the new infusion center. What was the vision, you know, behind creating a comforting space for patients going through treatment?

Tracie Funk: When we were talking about creating this new space, we wanted to offer an environment of comfort, dignity, and emotional wellbeing for the patients. We wanted them to feel safe and calm and supported throughout this treatment. You know, this is a, a really difficult time in their lives and we really want to be there for them.

We designed the place that with very calm color palettes, that kind of evoke warmth and healing, and it does have an abundance of natural light, which is really great for healing. And, just the wellbeing of the patient. Our infusion chairs are equipped with iPad arms and charging ports to help pass the time during this sometimes really long infusions.

And then the layout of space supports a really efficient workflow that reduces wait times and stress while having the staff still readily available without being too intrusive. Our end goal was just to make the infusion center feel like a place of curing and comfort while reducing the anxiety and providing emotional reassurance throughout the patient's cancer journey.

Host: That's great. And you know, Doctor, I know the center features state-of-the-art infusion technology, obviously. So what does that mean for patients and how does the new technology enhance treatment and the overall experience?

Karlos Oregel, MD: It means safer, more precise, and more efficient treatments. We use you know, advanced infusion pumps, realtime monitoring, integrated electronic systems, essentially to help minimize errors and shorten wait times. For patients, you know, I think this translates to like a smoother process for them.

Some of their appointments, fewer delays. Really just confidence that every dose is delivered as safely as possible.

Host: Sure. Yeah, Doctor, I'm guessing in some cases, maybe depending on diagnosis, that drug trials give patients access to leading edge cancer treatments. Right? So are drug trials available at the Community Memorial Cancer Center, and how does a patient get access to a trial and determine if it's right for them?

Karlos Oregel, MD: Right now, currently we don't have any trials available here at our cancer center. But we work with a lot of the regional academic hospitals to be able to kind of siphon patients in, in the right direction. So, you know, not every cancer type has a trial available at all times, but when one fits a patient's diagnosis, we can discuss it openly and kind of push patients in that direction more efficiently.

They can talk to us about that directly. Sometimes, you know, patients do their own research and kind of bring trials to us and say, Hey, I think I'll be a good candidate for this. And, you know, we facilitate that process. Because a lot of times we know a lot of the oncologists in the community and we interact with them frequently.

So it can be a more efficient way to get to that step.

Host: Yeah. Wondering how the proximity of the cancer center to CMH, you know, Community Memorial Hospital Ventura, how that improves the treatment experience for patients that are fighting cancer.

Karlos Oregel, MD: Yeah, the proximity makes to an enormous difference. Mostly because the oncologist that is managing you on a day-to-day basis can also follow you in the hospital if you happen to be hospitalized, which creates continuity and trust. Patients can stay close to their families. It's a familiar setting for the patient and the family, and a lot of times it can be the same nurse that is managing their care on the outpatient setting and in the inpatient setting and most importantly, everything's connected through our unified electronic healthcare record system. So every doctor involved in the patient's care sees what we're seeing and what we're thinking. Essentially creates, seamless information back and forth between all the teams and then and the patient.

And, patients can have access to MyChart, which gives patients a single place to track their treatments, their labs, or imaging and their appointments as they develop.

Host: Yeah. You know, Doctor, for those of us old enough to have had medical care and medical treatment before Epic and MyChart, you know, I was trying to think back of what that was actually like, you know, when we dealt with paper. But it's so great now, as you say through MyChart for patients to just have all those, all that information really, important information at their fingertips.

Want to bring you back, Tracie, for a patient coming in, you know, for their very first infusion, maybe tell us, like, take us through that. Like what can they expect when they walk through the door?

Tracie Funk: You know, our goal is to make the first and every appointment just comfortable and seamless. You'll first check in with our front desk, and register with the receptionist. Then the staff member would escort you back to the infusion center where they'll review your treatment plan, your health history, medications, allergies, vital signs, and sign any necessary consents, and answer any questions that you may have.

Blood work is often drawn beforehand, and the RN will review the results then to just ensure everything is safe to proceed with your infusion. While the pharmacy's preparing your medication, the nurse will start an IV line or access an implanted port for the infusion. And oftentimes, premedications are given to reduce such side effects like nausea, fever, or any allergic reactions.

The length of the infusion depends on the treatment. It could be anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, and you'll be very closely monitored by your nurse for any signs of reaction, especially during that first infusion. Many patients, they bring activities to pass the time and as mentioned earlier, we'll have iPads available for entertainment.

We also have drinks and snacks available, but encourage patients to bring whatever food they'd like. After the infusion, the nurse will observe you for a short period of time for any delayed reactions. They'll check your vital signs, they'll flush and remove your IV, and then you'll be given discharge instructions on side effects or symptoms or anything that you may experience at home and how to address those problems, either by calling physician or if any nurse on call for that.

Finally we'll schedule your next infusion and any follow up labs that you may need before your next visit.

Host: It sounds a little like a spa in a way, you know, uh, it sounds very calming. Really safe, wonderful space. As you said, lots of light, bring your own entertainment and food and all that. It sounds, really great. Of course, folks are there for infusions, so there's that part of it, but at least you're making folks as comfortable as they can be, right?

Tracie Funk: Yeah, that's our intent. We really want to make our patients feel comfortable and safe because they come so frequently, it, ends up being almost like a family environment and, you know, our same nurses are there and we get happy to see each other for each visit.

Host: Doctor, what's the single biggest benefit in your mind that the Community Memorial Cancer Center provides to cancer patients and families from the local community?

Karlos Oregel, MD: It's probably access to complete comprehensive cancer care right here in Ventura, anywhere from screening to diagnosis to starting therapy, which might include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, supported services, all local and, all high quality. It can can minimize delays in care, by not having to wait for referrals to locations outside the county. And, everything is coordinated, connected, and close to home.

Host: Yeah, I love that. As you say, you know some folks, many folks in America of course, have to go further. They have to travel great distances to teaching hospitals and places like that. So to have this kind of comprehensive and cutting edge care right there in the community is pretty awesome. And Tracie, I want to finish up with you today. You know, for patients who, or families even who might be interested in receiving chemotherapy treatment at Community Memorial, maybe you can tell us how they can learn more. Like how can they begin receiving their treatment at the new infusion center, for example?

Tracie Funk: Patients who would like to receive their treatments at our center can speak with their provider for a referral and to transfer care to our Community Memorial Cancer Center. In addition, you can visit our website, which is really robust and informative. It's mycmh.org/cancer and there's a lot of information about our cancer resource center and what we have available.

 Contact phone numbers and email addresses are also available there. We also accept a variety of insurances and they are also listed on our website.

Host: That's perfect. Well, I appreciate your time today. It's always great to learn more and it's always exciting, you know, when something like this, this infusion center opens and it's so accessible and close to home and comprehensive and relaxing and all that good stuff. So thank you both.

Karlos Oregel, MD: Thank you.

Tracie Funk: Thank you.

Host: That's Medical Oncologist, Dr. Karlos Oregel, and Ambulatory Services Clinical Manager, Tracie Funk. And for more information, go to mycmh.org/cancer.

And if you found this podcast helpful, please share it on your social channels and check out the entire podcast library for additional topics of interest. I'm Scott Webb. Thanks for listening. This is Wise and Well, presented by Community Memorial Health Care.