Treating Oncologic Emergenciesjamesline.com /treating-oncologic-emergencies/

March 11, 2014 9:00 am

A cancer emergency department is among the innovative features of the new Ohio State UniversityComprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove ResearchInstitute (OSUCCC – James).

The James Cancer Emergency Department (ED) will be contiguous with the traditional Ohio State WexnerMedical Center ED. “It will be among the first fully integrated cancer EDs in the nation,” says RichardGoldberg, MD, physician-in-chief of the OSUCCC – James.

There is no routine cancer, and at The James Cancer ED, each individual cancer emergency will betreated uniquely with expert care from The James staff.

“The cancer ED will provide specialized emergency oncology care,” says Thomas E. Terndrup, MD,professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. “Those who arrive with a trauma or heartattack will be treated in the Wexner Medical Center ED, coordinated when appropriate with their cancerhistory and James staff.”

ED physicians trained-up in oncology will staff the department, along with a dedicated team of nurses.They will be expert in treating such oncologic emergencies such as treatment-associated infections, tumorlysis syndrome, surgical problems such as bowel or kidney obstruction, or pain and weakness due to braintumors or spine metastases.

“Additional diagnostic or treatment services will be available just an elevator ride away in The James,”says Goldberg, who is also professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and the Klotz Family Chairin Cancer Research.

The department, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will have a capacity of 15 patients andan internal waiting room designed for patients with compromised immunity.

Cancer ED physicians will open the patient’s electronic chart and immediately learn the patient’s history,treatment regimens and other details. “That permits high-quality, personalized care,” Terndrup says.

“The James Cancer ED, true to the goals of the new cancer hospital, will enable us to maintaincoordinated, integrated care of our patients while optimizing efficiency and quality of care,” Goldberg says.

Visit cancer.osu.edu to learn more about the new home of The James, opening in November 2014.