DRMC recognizes that as the population of Delano (and the surrounding communities we serve) continues to increase, so do the health care needs. We are constantly looking for ways to expand and meet the growing needs of our community and so we are excited to announce the opening of two new services.

In partnership with Kern Family Health Care, DRMC has opened the Delano Diabetes Clinic, a pilot project for future potential growth.  The clinic will provide Kern Family Health Care patients with the tools needed to manage and prevent the common complications from uncontrolled diabetes.  The clinic has a team of professionals including a RN diabetes educator, a pharmacist, a dietician and a physical therapist/personal exercise trainer to assist diabetic patients with a well-rounded health care plan. If you or a member of your family are members of Kern Family Health Care and are diabetic, call your physician for a referral so that you can benefit from this new program.

In addition, DRMC Pediatric Therapy Services is now welcoming and accepting new patients in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology services.

Both the Diabetes Clinic and Pediatric Therapy Services are currently located in the Triangle Eye Building. 

Delano Diabetic Clinic Brochure        Delano Clinica de Diabetes Espanol

1519 Garces Highway Suite 103, Delano, CA  93215 * 661-721-1497

Pediatric Therpy Services Brochure      Servicios de Terapia Pediatrica Espanol

1201 Garces Highway Suite 208, Delano, CA  93215 * 661-721-5337

Delano, CA – April 24, 2012:  Delano Regional Medical Center was recently recognized with an Excellence through Insight award for “Overall Outpatient Satisfaction” for a medium size hospital by HealthStream, Inc.  The announcement of the award was made during HealthStream’s Customer Summit 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee and a formal presentation was made to the hospital and staff by HealthStream on April 24, 2012.

DRMC was awarded this honor for it’s commitment to excellence in patient care. To qualify for an award, a hospital must have been a patient satisfaction-tracking client of HealthStream in 2011, scored in the 75% percentile or higher, and surveyed a minimum of 100 patients.  DRMC was chosen for receiving the highest ratings in outpatient satisfaction from among 466 HealthStream hospital clients, as well as exceeding industry standards.

At the Customer Summit 2012, HealthStream CEO Robert A. Frist, Jr., said, “We applaud Delano Regional Medical Center’s high-level commitment to excellence in healthcare – we are pleased to recognize their achievement through our Excellence through Insight award.”

Jeremy Klemm, HealthStream Regional Director, commended the staff during today’s presentation stating, “This award represents a cultural change that involves all staff that has a part in taking care of the patient.  It shows a high level of commitment from DRMC’s staff to provide excellence to the patient.”

HealthStream is a leading provider of research and learning solutions for the healthcare industry.  Concentrating primarily on the patient experience, HealthStream reaches  patients through phone surveys.   With that data, they are able to deliver information that healthcare facilities can then use to educate staff and change behaviors  that will ultimately improve the patient experience.

Recently, Sheikh Latif, D.O. and the Surgery Team at Delano Regional Medical Center performed the first Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm procedure for the hospital.

Each year, 15,000 Americans die from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.  Over 1.1 million Americans have an abdominal aneurysm with over 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year and 50,000 requiring surgical repair.  These numbers seem staggering but today, with early detection, the disease can be repaired using newer technology. This technology allows for a lesser invasive approach and faster recovery compared to the traditional open repair.

The aorta, the biggest blood vessel in the body, runs from the heart through the chest to the diaphragm and down to the abdomen. It then splits into two arteries that travel to the legs. An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel widens or dilates. The majority of aneurysms occur in the abdominal portion of the aorta.

“An aortic aneurysm is when a part of the artery becomes too large, or balloons outward, due to weakness in the wall of the artery,” says Dr. Latif.  “Unlike standard surgery, in which a surgical incision is made in the abdomen, we performed the repair using the percutaneous approach which is a needle-puncture of the skin in the groin area.”

With state of the art equipment, this milestone procedure was performed at DRMC using the intravascular ultrasound method which gives the surgeon the best vision of the disease by wires that are guided through the arteries.

“The recovery time is remarkable,” stated Judi Herrick, RN, CNOR, Director of Surgery. “Our patient was sitting up in bed the next morning eating breakfast and went home later that day.”

A ruptured aortic aneurysm is the 13^th leading cause of death in the United States, with women having a more serious outcome. Greater than 50% of patients who rupture an aortic aneurysm will die before reaching the emergency room.  According to Dr. Latif, a simple ultrasound can provide early detection and possibly prevent a fatal outcome.

Delano Regional Medical Center has chosen Diana Ochoa as Employee of the Year. Although it’s difficult to sum up the traits that make her perfect to wear the title, here is a sample of her character, her values, her commitment and her reputation.

Diana Ochoa

In August of 1990, Diana began her first day in the Business Office of DRMC.  At first glance she appeared to be a quiet, unassuming lady but as time went on people began to see an intelligent, kind, determined person who desired to learn and be the best that she could become for herself and the organization.  Within a year, she transferred to Medical Records working the night shift.  Today, she is a pivotal person not only within the Medical Records Department but has become essential to physicians, care coordinators, nursing departments and many other team members.

Diana’s primary responsibility as Medical Records Clerk is to assist physicians with their patients’ charts.  She doesn’t stop there….Diana chooses to go above and beyond to support, instruct, and be a resource for the physicians.  Physicians have grown to count on her when it comes to any issue relating to their charts.  They know they can always rely on Diana when they have an issue.  If she doesn’t have the answer, she gets it for them quickly. 

In addition, Diana doesn’t know the words “it’s not my job”.  She is always willing to help anyone to get the job done, and she is not afraid of learning something new when it is beneficial to the hospital, her position and the physicians.

Regardless of the situation, or the stress/frustration levels around her, Diana is constantly calm, reassuring and kind, showing the utmost respect for everyone involved.  She gives 110% every day to help make DRMC a great hospital.