As part of its commitment to offer a full continuum of cancer care, Good Samaritan Medical Center is now providing oncology emergency services that are fully integrated with the hospital’s emergency department. Oncologic emergencies can include:
• Pulmonary Embolisms
• Treatment-Associated Infections
• Tumor Lysis Syndrome
• Surgical Problems such as bowel or kidney obstruction
• Pain and weakness due to brain tumors or spine metastases
“We take a team approach to oncology emergencies, and our emergency room registered nurses represent a critical component of the care team,” said chief executive officer Tara McCoy. “Our oncologists, emergency medicine physicians, emergency nurses and oncology nurses work together under one roof to deliver emergency treatment for all oncology related emergencies, and deliver quality care to our patients.”
With this new service, all patients who present through the emergency room with an oncologic related emergency will by-pass the ED waiting area and be immediately placed in a private room. Patients will also be prioritized for expedited bed placements on the oncology unit. The hospital has clinical care guidelines and cancer specific protocols to improve the care for cancer patients in emergency situations, and when appropriate, try to safely reduce the need for hospital admission.
