Cancer Care Services
Cancer Care at Mon General Hospital features a multidisciplinary team approach involving physicians, nurses, pharmacists, case managers, social workers, nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists and respiratory therapists. Services are available to both inpatients and outpatients, including the delivery of cancer drugs (chemotherapy administration), diagnostic testing, and the care necessary to help patients promote health and to work through medical complications. Our care is delivered utilizing a family centered approach.
There are two Hematology Oncologists and two Gynecological Oncologists currently on staff. (See right.) In addition, specialty physicians are available to support cancer patient needs, including Pathologists, Pulmonologists, Cardiologists, Surgeons, Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Internal Medicine practitioners and Radiologists. Mon General treats most forms of cancer and refers patients as needed for additional care needs. Our cancer team supports clinical trials as a treatment option and refers patients to leading centers based on diagnosis. Our team actively works with other cancer centers to promote treatment plans and support cancer treatments here at home.
The team follows National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines when developing personalized treatment plans for patients. The NCCN, a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. These guidelines are recognized as the standard of practice for cancer treatment across the country.
Mon General Hospital recognizes that cancer does not just affect the patient; it also impacts the patient’s family. Because of this, the Cancer Care team at Mon General Hospital works with both the patient and the patient’s family. This family approach includes helping the patient and family with information enabling decision making, such as treatment options, and working through financial, social and emotional obstacles.
The Cancer Care team meets weekly in a team conference setting to discuss long and short term goals for its patients. These goals are developed with the patients and families, and revised as needs change. Goals are individualized to assure that the team focuses on each patient's needs.
Oncology Unit
At the core of Mon General Hospital’s Cancer Care program is the Oncology Unit. The unit features the largest private patient suites in the hospital, a home-like atmosphere, and a family area.
Mon General Hospital’s Oncology Unit is located in a newly renovated 12-bed wing on the 5th Floor of the hospital. The unit is staffed by Registered Nurses and Clinical Assistants, and supports both medical and surgical Oncology patients. Each patient room is private. All Registered Nurses are certified in chemotherapy administration by the Oncology Nursing Society.
Because many of the Oncology patients come to the hospital for extended stays, an emphasis was placed on families and their needs to be with the patient in the design of the unit. As a result, the patient rooms are larger to accommodate family members and the unit features a family lounge to give family members a place to relax and visit.
The Oncology Unit is a protected unit. Oncology patients have special needs, and the unit provides an environment supportive of those needs.
Infusion Therapy Services
Much of the treatment for the Cancer patient can be provided in an outpatient setting. Mon General Hospital has an Infusion Center that has been specially established to meet these outpatient needs. Infusion Therapy is a major element of the cancer treatment plan. Infusion Therapy includes the administration of intravenous (IV) medication, intravenous fluid and/or blood products as ordered by the patient’s physician. These drugs are prepared and administered by specially trained staff knowledgeable in the drugs, treatment plans, chemotherapy teaching, and understanding and recognition of side affects and complications. This knowledge allows them to assist patients manage and, as able, prevent symptoms.
These treatments are provided Monday – Friday in an outpatient setting by appointment and in accordance with the patient's physician orders. This setting provides for very safe administration and monitoring of drugs being provided. Pharmacist’s at Mon General Hospital actually validate orders and work with the physicians to assure the protocols are followed and doses are adjusted to meet the medical conditions of the patients. The RN staff, once the drug is received in the unit, again validates the order and drugs to be given with a second RN. Knowing the potential complications with Chemotherapy, it is Mon General's goal to provide a safe and comfortable setting for our patients receiving chemotherapy.
Treatments of Oncology patients are based on NCCN guidelines and infusion is provided by an all Registered Nurse staff. Cancer patients, as part of their treatment plan, may receive chemotherapy. For the safety of patients, Infusion Therapy only accepts patients whose attending physician is on the Mon General Hospital staff. Our physicians do work with physicians outside of our area and support recognized treatment plans. Home Care Care doesn’t stop when the patient leaves the hospital. Resources such as Palliative Care, Hospice and Home Medical Equipment are available as well.
Mon General Hospital realizes that, to be successful at treating cancer patients, we must focus on their total needs.
2011 Cancer Registry Data Review
Stage III Colon Cancer at Mon General Hospital