Hulston Cancer Center Patient Orientation Class
Class Objectives Building Overview Care Team Chemotherapy Radiation Therapy Accessing Support Services & Resources Financial Information Healthy Coping Skills
Building Overview Parking Available around HCC and 3 floors of parking garage Disabled parking available on 1 st and 3 rd levels of parking garage, as well as around building Loading and unloading zone only available under overhang in front of building wheelchairs are usually accessible here
Building Overview Food/Vending Vending machines are located on ground floor of building, down hallway leading to parking garage Limited sandwiches, salads, fruit parfaits and drinks are available in the Allenbrand Resource Center on ground floor (8 a.m. 4 p.m.) Hospital cafeteria can be accessed by taking the 3 rd floor skywalk across National Avenue
Building Overview Ground Floor Allenbrand Resource Center, Ste. 120: 269-5257, option 5 Radiation Center, Ste. 100: 269-6115 Main Lobby/Volunteer Ambassadors Conference Room Second Floor Outpatient Chemotherapy (OPC), Ste. 240: 269-6588 Cancer Research for the Ozarks, Ste. 230: 269-4845 Healing Garden, Ste. 200 HCC Support Services, Ste. 200 Chapel, Ste. 200
Building Overview Third Floor Breast Care Clinic, Ste. 300 The Urology Group, Ste. 320 Drs. Farber & Pearson Walkway to Hospital & Wheeler Center Fourth Floor Meeting Rooms Dogwood, Magnolia, Redbud Fifth Floor CoxHealth Medical Oncology Office, Ste. 520: 875-2607 Sixth Floor Oncology Hematology Associates, Ste. 600: 882-4880 Seventh Floor Dentist Dr. Martens Dermatologist Dr. Swann
Identification of Care Team You the captain of your care team Your Caregiver(s) help you deal with the emotional, physical and financial impact of your cancer Oncologist a doctor who is specialized in treatment and management of cancer Medical Oncologists: Chemotherapy Drs. Lobins & Nannapaneni (CoxHealth) Radiation Oncologists: Radiation Therapy Drs. Abdalla, Albritton, Clouse Surgical Oncologists: Surgeons who specialize in oncology
Identification of Care Team Oncology Nurse usually the person in charge of implementing the treatment your doctor prescribes for you; assesses your symptoms, gives medications & helps manage side effects Oncology Pharmacist specializes in cancer treatment drugs
CHEMOTHERAPY - COXHEALTH MEDICAL ONCOLOGY 5 TH FLOOR, Ste. 520 Check in at front desk upon arrival.
CHEMOTHERAPY - COXHEALTH Have a seat in the waiting room.
CHEMOTHERAPY - COXHEALTH Your nurse will come and escort you to the exam room.
CHEMOTHERAPY - COXHEALTH If you are getting an infusion/chemo after your appointment, stop at the registration area.
CHEMOTHERAPY - COXHEALTH When your visit with the office has concluded, you will stop at the front scheduling office to confirm your next appointment and schedule any necessary tests. After, proceed to the 2 nd floor Outpatient Chemotherapy unit if you are receiving infusions/chemo that day.
Centralized Registration If you are receiving treatment at Outpatient Chemotherapy (2 nd floor) or the Radiation Center, you will need to complete registration in the Allenbrand Resource Center & Library on the ground floor (Ste. 120). Be prepared to bring your insurance cards, photo id, and copay (as necessary) at this time.
Chemotherapy Outpatient Oncology (OPC) 2 nd Floor, Ste. 240 After you have completed registration on the ground floor, you will check in at the counter in OPC (2 nd floor, Ste. 240).
Chemotherapy - OPC After checking in, you will be taken to a recliner chair or bed (as needed). The pharmacist must prepare your medications and lab results must be received before chemotherapy can be administered, so there is a typically a period of waiting at this point.
Chemotherapy - OPC While waiting for your chemotherapy meds, the nurse will start your IV or access your port.
Outpatient Oncology - FAQs If you arrive between 11 a.m. 12 p.m., a cold box lunch may be available, or you may bring your own lunch. You may use cell phones in this area. You may bring your laptop computer. There is Internet Wi-Fi available.
Outpatient Oncology - FAQs The length of time you can expect for treatment will vary, depending on your treatment plan. If you are on oxygen, you must bring your own supply to last while you are receiving treatment. Dress comfortably. Warm blankets and pillows are available. DVD players and movies are available for your viewing, or you may bring your own DVD movies.
Chemotherapy - General If you have a port, you might want to consider wearing a button down shirt to your chemotherapy appointments for easier access. If you do not have a port, please wear a loosesleeved shirt so access to arm is easier. Please remember that the treatment offices are not geared for children. For your protection and theirs, please keep children at home if at all possible. Children will not be allowed in the treatment areas.
Radiation Therapy First visit after simulation dry run * Check in at the front desk where you will receive a swipe card (to check yourself in each day after), and will be shown how to use it Your radiation therapist will come out and meet you in the waiting room and will escort you to the treatment machine The therapist will explain what to expect and will show you the changing area, bathroom and treatment area The therapist will explain what will happen each day during treatment *Before your first visit to the Radiation Center, you will need to complete registration in the Allenbrand Resource Center & Library, Ste. 120 (ground floor).
Radiation Therapy When you arrive at the radiation department, you will check yourself in by using your swipe card.
Radiation Therapy After checking in, you will sit in the waiting room until you hear your name called overhead.
Radiation Therapy When your name is paged overhead, you will walk back to the treatment area.
Radiation Therapy Each week, you will visit with the doctor. For daily treatments, most patients are usually in and out in less than 30 minutes (unless it is a doctor visit day).
Accessing Support Services The support services department is located in the Allenbrand Resource Center & Library on the ground floor.
Accessing Support Allenbrand Resource Center Free lending library with books on various cancer topics Free brochures and pamphlets Wigs, Hats, Turbans Port pillows Gift Shop Food Queasy Pops/Drops Centralized Registration for Outpatient Chemotherapy, Radiation Center & Genetic Counselor Ensure Program Services
Accessing Support Services Genetic Counselor Mary Owen (269-2110) Information on genetics and cancer Determines if genetic testing is appropriate for you and/or your family Requires physician referral Financial Navigator Christina Kindred (269-5149) Help understanding your bills Assistance with insurance verification Connecting you with the Patient Financial Assistance Program
Accessing Support Services Nurse Navigators Lung, Head/Neck Cancer Navigator: Karen Hahn (269-5153) GI Cancer Navigator: Joan Ramsey (269-5288) Breast Cancer Navigator: Deanna Gunnett (269-6253) Clinical Research Cancer Research for the Ozarks Trials on many different types of cancers Tests new medications in addition to the standard of care Eligibility requirements
Accessing Support Services Patient Advocates: Genise Davis (269-5748), Ara Schnelle (269-5250) Financial assistance Find support groups/psychological services Transportation and/or lodging Medication expenses and co-pays Counselor: Sue Brown (269-6891) One-on-one intervention Meet with patient and/or family members Address anxiety/depression, etc. related to cancer and treatment
Support Groups REACH Together Breast Cancer Group Second Thursday each month at 7 p.m. (Breast Care Clinic) New Hope (GYN Cancers) Group Third Thursday each month at 6 p.m. (Library Center) Look Good Feel Better (ACS) Fourth Monday each month at 10 a.m. Call 417-269-5257 for more information.
Resources Hulston website: www.coxhealth.com Hulston Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hulstoncancercenter American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov Cancer Care: www.cancercare.org
Basic Financial Information Radiation Physicians: Physicians in radiation are part of the Ferrell Duncan Clinic, so billing for their visits will be from the Ferrell Duncan Clinic; you will only receive a bill when a physician visit is recorded Radiation Therapy Services: Includes daily treatment, nursing visits; contact CoxHealth Patient Financial Services; payment plans are available
Basic Financial Information Patient Financial Assistance Program: For bills through CoxHealth; patients who are uninsured or underinsured and unable to pay for medically necessary services may qualify for a reduction in their bill, based on financial status (269-3117); setting up of payment plans Financial Navigator: understanding bills/insurance Patient Advocates: community resources
Healthy Coping Skills Diagnosis brings about many feelings. Ups and downs are completely normal and are to be expected. Shock: no one is ever ready to hear they have cancer; why did it happen; disbelief especially if you don t feel sick Fear: cancer itself; treatment; how you will get through; pain and suffering Guilt: wonder what you ve done to cause this; could have noticed symptoms earlier; other family members
Healthy Coping Skills Hopelessness/Sadness: roadblock to health and happiness; hard to feel positive and upbeat with uncertain future Grief: changes in your sense of self, how you think of your body, yourself, your future; normal response as you give up old ideas of yourself and begin to develop ways to cope with new, unwanted changes in life Anger: may be directed toward family members, friends, health care professionals
Healthy Coping Skills Seek out reliable, up-to-date information Allenbrand Resource Center is a good place to start; Hulston website: ww.coxhealth.com/cancer Focus on what you can change to get a greater sense of control Ask for support from family, friends, health care professionals Pay attention to physical needs for rest, nutrition and other self-care measures
Healthy Coping Skills Find ways to express your feelings talking or journaling Allow yourself private time and space Meet with psychologist Walk or exercise Accept help from others Get support from pastor and/or church family
Review Please ask your healthcare team any questions that you may have. If we have left something out, or if you are unclear about anything, please ask. Any medical questions should be directed to your physician and/or nurse. Support Services department (i.e. patient advocates, genetic counselor, education) is located on ground floor in Allenbrand Resource Center.
Feedback We want to make this as positive an experience as possible and appreciate any feedback you may have. Comments and concerns can be directed to the following people: Radiation Therapy (Ste. 100): Jeff Robinson, 269-6115 Outpatient Oncology (2 nd Floor, Ste. 240): Michelle Jackson, 269-6588 CoxHealth Medical Oncology (5 th Floor, Ste. 520): 875-2635 Administrative Director: June Johnson, 269-5257
Questions?