Center for Limb Preservation and Advanced Wound Care hopes to prevent amputations in East LA

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Minutes count when treating heart attack and stroke patients, but they can also be crucial in diabetes complications. Delays can result in infections, and in severe cases, the loss of limbs.

Health officials said that trend is happening to often in the East Los Angeles community.

"In this zip code, your chances of losing your leg is 10 times higher than it is in West Los Angeles, and we just don't think that's right," Dr. Stanley Mathis said.

To reverse the trend, White Memorial Medical Center unveiled their new Center for Limb Preservation and Advanced Wound Care.

Surgeons say "time is tissue," meaning infections can spread quickly and quick treatment is crucial.

That's why the center has a dozen different doctors from seven different specialties all under one roof.

It's a benefit to patients who often have trouble with mobility as they don't have to travel far to get various tests and treatments.

"They can see a cardiologist, they can see a neurologist to prevent stroke and they can also be screened for kidney disease by our endocrinologist. That's unique," Mathis explained.

Patients are also taught how to control diabetes through better nutrition, exercise and regular checkups. Doctors said they hope education, technology and coordinated care will keep patients on their feet.