Comprehensive Focus on Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the Goal of New Center
For more information, contact Gregg Lagan
Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
515-247-3050 or cell 515-490-6636
NEWS AVAILABILITY
September 26, 2006
Comprehensive Focus on Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the Goal of New Center
DES MOINES, Iowa—Nearly two million Americans are living with a disease that can be as costly and debilitating as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. This year in Iowa several hundred individuals will be newly diagnosed. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) knows no age—affecting children and adults. Thanks to a collaborative effort however, comprehensive care is now available to serve the individualized needs of patients and their loved ones.
The Iowa Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center (IBD Center), located in Des Moines and Clive, is the first of its kind in Iowa. IBD includes conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Previously, patients had to invest significant time and energy to access medical care to diagnose IBD and develop a treatment plan. IBD diagnosis requires extensive examinations including a colonoscopy and sophisticated medical imaging tests to determine the type and stage of the disease. Frequently surgery is the best option. If surgery is performed, patients frequently require ostomy care, rehabilitation, medications and a change in diet. Children with IBD have their own special needs. The IBD Center will coordinate all stages of treatment so patients and their families can call one number to completely coordinate their care. Appointments are scheduled at a location that is most convenient for the patient.
"At the Iowa Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center we are able to integrate a patient's complete care program and begin treatment in a timely manner," says Dr. Bernard Leman, IBD Center medical director. "We have assembled a highly-skilled and dedicated clinical team with more than 70 years of experience in treating IBD. Their collective expertise will benefit all Iowans—including children. Our pediatric specialists understand the impact of the disease on a child's life. They will develop care plans to get our pediatric patients back to being a kid as soon as possible."
The IBD Center includes adult and pediatric gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons and a dedicated medical imaging physician. The Center also has pharmacists, enterostomal therapists, social workers and nutrition/metabolic support specialists. These skilled individuals can help speed up a patient's return to daily life.
Education and research will be another component of the IBDC that will greatly benefit patients. “The Center will actively participate in IBD research," says Dr. Leman. “This will benefit our patients by giving them access to the latest treatments and drug protocols. We will also create an Iowa IBD Registry to better track the disease process. We want to study how it can impact an individual or in some case multiple family members. In addition our Center will also host support groups and periodic conferences to share knowledge on IBD and treatments available."
The IBD Center is a collaborative effort of the Iowa Digestive Disease Center, the Colorectal Surgeons of the Iowa Clinic, the Children's Center at Mercy Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic and Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines. Physicians and patients wishing to contact the Center can call toll-free at 1-866-IBD-IOWA (1-866-423-4692) or locally at (515) 226-8177. You can also learn more about IBD of contact IBD Center experts at www.IBDiowa.com.
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