UC Davis Health opens the region’s first adult congenital colorectal clinic

UC Davis Health will open the Sacramento region's first dedicated adult congenital colorectal clinic this month. <_o3a_p>

The clinic, set to open on May 12 on the UC Davis Health campus, provides care for patients with conditions that were diagnosed in infancy and may still require the expertise of pediatric specialists. These include anorectal malformations, Hirschsprung disease, cloacal anomalies and other congenital colorectal and pelvic conditions. <_o3a_p>

Many of these patients continue to experience long-term issues such as fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary concerns, and sexual and reproductive health challenges.<_o3a_p>

"These patients often fall into the gap between pediatric and adult care systems," said Payam Saadai, interim co-chief of the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery in the UC Davis Department of Surgery and director of the Pediatric Colorectal Center at UC Davis Children's Hospital. "Some patients have continued to follow with pediatric providers, even beyond the typical age cutoff, due to a lack of access to adult providers with appropriate expertise. Others have transitioned to adult colorectal surgeons or gastrointestinal physicians, who may be less familiar with congenital conditions."<_o3a_p>

According to several studies, many patients experience gaps in care or suboptimal long-term management, which this clinic is specifically designed to address, Saadai said. <_o3a_p>

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Fewer than five adult congenital colorectal programs exist nationwide, making the UC Davis Health clinic a uniquely valuable resource both regionally and nationally.<_o3a_p>

The multidisciplinary clinic brings together pediatric and adult specialists in congenital colorectal care under one roof. Pediatric specialists bring knowledge and experience in treating the original congenital anatomy, prior surgeries and lifelong disease trajectory. Adult providers contribute expertise in managing adult physiology, comorbidities and long-term complications. A collaborative model ensures continuity, addresses inherent fragmentation in the health care system, and allows for both comprehensive and more individualized patient care.<_o3a_p>

The clinic is anchored by advanced nurse practitioner Kendall Ouzts, a nationally-recognized expert in congenital colorectal diseases. Ouzts is an educator in congenital colorectal diseases and serves as the clinical lead for the program. She works alongside adult colorectal surgeon Sean Flynn, pediatric GI physician Maheen Hassan, and Saadai. <_o3a_p>

"In addition to clinical care, this program creates opportunities for care standardization, patient education and smoother transition from pediatric to adult services, which can be modeled for other clinical service lines at UC Davis Health," Saadai said. "Over time, we will also support research and outcomes tracking to further improve care for this population."<_o3a_p>

The clinic team sees patients the second Tuesday of every month. It is located in the new Pediatric Surgery and Subspecialty Clinic, 2221 Stockton Blvd., Suite E, Sacramento. For more information, call 916-734-4148.<_o3a_p>