Cancer Services
Comprehensive Cancer Care
Our inpatient Cancer Care Units provides quality services for our patients with personalized and compassionate care uniquely possible in our community hospital setting. Outpatient Cancer Care is provided by members of the hospital medical staff in their private offices. The Medical Center's Cancer Care Services have been accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, and are affiliated with the American Cancer Society. The Cancer Care Center provides a 20-bed unit and one hospice bed, all of which are modern single rooms with private baths. Patients are provided with multidisciplinary care from admission through discharge to care in the home or other appropriate settings.
Cancer Care Services include:
- PET/CT Services
- Board Certified Physicians who specialize in Cancer (Oncology)
- Multi-lingual, certified Oncology nurses
- Multidisciplinary Team
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Pain Clinic
- Stereotactic Breast Needle Biopsy
- Multidisciplinary Second Opinion Service
- Education programs such as "I Can Cope"
- Reach to Recovery Volunteer Visitor Program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
- Family and patient support groups.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Team
The Oncology health care team provides a multidisciplinary approach to the manage-ment and care of the cancer patient. The oncology team comprises:
- Oncologist(s) - Physicians who specialize in the treatment of cancer. Their expertise is utilized in specific areas related to cancer diagnosis, surgical intervention, therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy, as well as cancer research.
- Oncology Staff Nurse - Registered nurses who have been individually certified in cancer care. They have knowledge and experience that is specific to the care of cancer patients. Together with other members of the health care team, the oncology staff nurse develops and implements a plan of care that is designed to meet the individualized needs of cancer patients and their families.
- Dietitian - The oncology dietitian participates in the individual plan of care that is designed for patients by providing instruction and counseling that is related to the overall nutritional needs of the cancer patient. She provides assistance in meal planning, dietary modifications, and therapeutic counseling and utilizes the principles of good nutrition to achieve optimal nutritional status.
- Spiritual Services - Chaplains are available to provide emotional support and spiritual counseling to cancer patients and their families. Members of Spiritual Services visit patients daily; provide for the needs of patients directly or through appropriate area religious leaders and clergy; meet with families to lend support; and provide continued pastoral support through local parishes when patients are discharged.
- Social Workers - The oncology social worker is available to provide services which address the overall needs of the cancer patient. The social worker assists patients and their families in dealing with concerns and problems which may result from illness, hospitalization and/or disability. Services include counseling, locating community resources, helping with financial and/or legal concerns and directing patients and their families to needed resources within the community. Hospice and Palliative Care referrals are made for patients and families.
- Occupational Therapy - The occupational therapist provides structured, purposeful activities which help cancer patients adapt to the effects of their disease. Patients are encouraged to be as independent as possible through the use of techniques which simplify care and activities of adult living. Physical Therapy, Home Health and Hospice services are also available as needed. Additionally, a patient's self esteem and sense of optimism are reinforced through activities that provide outlets for emotions and encourage decision making, problem solving and the development of new interests.
- Multidisciplinary Second Opinion - Most cancers are diagnosed by doctors other than cancer specialists (oncologists). Since there are more than one hundred different types of cancer, it is impossible for one general doctor to be informed on the latest and best treatment for every type of cancer. That is why, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you need a SECOND OPINION from a multidisciplinary panel of cancer specialists.
