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Medical
Oncology services are provided on a 30-bed inpatient unit. The primary
focus is on the acute care of the adult oncology patient.
Our three
care managers on the unit are responsible for achieving positive
patient outcomes, coordinating patient care with the healthcare team.
This holistic care is a collaborative effort between the unit staff
and other disciplines such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy,
clinical nutrition, radiation oncology, and medical social services.
The staff
is primarily registered nurses, several of whom are oncology
certified. All registered nurses on the unit are required to
participate in a chemotherapy administration certification course and
must maintain ongoing education specifically related to oncology
practices. The clinical mentor and the clinical education department
develop education opportunities throughout the year. They work closely
with the physicians and pharmacy to provide the most recent clinical
information possible.
We also
maintain support staff on the unit that is made up of unit secretaries
and nursing technicians. These staff provide ancillary assistance in
transcribing orders, assisting patients with basic needs, etc.,
therefore allowing the RN time to perform their duties more
efficiently.
The
oncology unit also benefits and appreciates the services of ancillary
departments such as Outpatient Services, the Breast Health Coordinator
and the Lymphedema Program which offer services and programs for the
inpatient population also.
For
patients not requiring inpatient care, our outpatient services
(Medical Day Care) is able to meet many of their nursing care needs.
Medical Day Care has eight patient rooms. The department is open from
7:30am until 6:00pm Monday through Friday.
Medical Day
Care is staffed by three registered nurses, one of whom is board
certified in oncology; all are hospital certified in chemotherapy
administration.
Supportive
care may also be given in Medical Day Care, such as blood
administration, colony stimulating factors, hydration and bone marrow
biopsies and lumbar punctures. Patients are also recovered from
various biopsies that require conscious sedation. Percutaneous
vertebroplasty are recovered in this area for patients who suffer
osteoporosis and fractures from metastatic disease.
Patients
are seen by appointment, and all patient care is individualized and
followed up by phone after discharge.
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