Wilmot Cancer Center

Inpatient Information Hematology Oncology

Welcome to 6-3400, the Hematology and Oncology floor at Strong Memorial Hospital. We practice “Medicine of the Highest Order” and our staff is honored to be working with you. We look forward to meeting you when you arrive on our unit.

We have put together some information that you may find helpful during your inpatient stay.

Patient Population

A majority of our patients are newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or solid tumors. Therefore, we frequently administer chemotherapy on 6-3400. All our nurses attend special training and become certified to administer these drugs. The nursing staff on 6-3400 is also prepared to monitor patients and provide supportive therapy and side effect management to patients after they have been treated with these medications.

What to Bring

During your stay, you may find that you'd like to have some of the following items with you:

  • A sweater or bathrobe, slippers with rubber soles
  • A few sets of comfortable clothing (sweats, pajamas, underclothes, socks)
  • A scarf, baseball hat, wig or bandana
  • Personal items and toiletries (such as toothbrush, favorite comb or brush)
  • An electric razor Inpatient Information Hematology Oncology
  • Glasses, contact lenses dentures if you need them
  • A favorite pillow or blanket (washed and dried)
  • Magazines, books, puzzles
  • VHS tapes, DVDs, computer games
  • Laptop (wireless service is provided through out the hospital)
  • Favorite pictures or posters to tape to the wall
  • Projects, crafts
  • Writing paper, address book, stamps
  • List of important telephone numbers
  • Personal cell phone
  • Portable music player/favorite music/earphones/headphones
  • Headphones are available on the unit to use with the TV

These services are offered as a combined package and costs $7.00 per day. You can charge it to a credit card, or for an additional one-time fee of $4.50, bill it to your home phone. To order this service, you just need to dial 1-5000 on your white hospital phone and follow the computer prompts. You will be able to give your family and friends a phone number that connects directly to your room. The telephone is for local calls only, and incoming calls should only be received between 8am-8pm, however you can make out-going calls at any time.

  • Incoming calls - dial (585) 275-7575 and the extension for your phone.
  • Outgoing calls - you must dial "9" first, then the 7 digit number

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Your Room

When you arrive on the unit, a nurse will greet you and your family and show you around the unit. Currently, our unit has 11 private rooms and 12 semi-private rooms. A patient’s medical condition often dictates who receives a private room.

Patients and their Families have access to our “Family Room” which includes:

  • A shared television
  • A shared computer with internet access
  • Donated videos and reading materials
  • A stationary exercise bike and treadmill
  • Tables, chairs, couch

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Daily Routine

Throughout your hospitalization, routine activities may include:

  • Having a blood sample drawn between 1am-6am. This enables your team to review your blood results and plan your treatment early in the day. It is also helpful for the team to have those results to review with you when they see you on their daily visit. It may be necessary to draw blood more frequently at certain stages of your treatment.
  • Having your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, and pain level) taken at least twice each nursing shift (every four hours).
  • Having dressings changed. For example if you have a central line, the dressing will need to be changed at least every seven days, but the dressing will be changed sooner if it is loose, soiled or wet, or if you have a gauze dressing rather than the transparent dressing.
  • Being assessed by members of the healthcare team. This can include members from nurses to physicians, nutrition specialists, physical therapists, social workers, skin care specialists, or others based on your individual care needs.
  • Regular physical activity.
  • Hourly visits from the nursing team on the unit to ensure that your needs are being met, that your questions are being answered, and that we are keeping you safe.

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Your Professional Health Team

Your team on 6-3400 may include the following individuals:

  • A Physician will work with a team of residents and Nurse Practitioners to oversee your care.
  • The Nurse Manager oversees unit operations and is available to address your concerns or questions.
  • The Nurse Leaders oversee daily nursing care and assist with staff development and patient education programs.
  • A Registered Nurse (RNs) will oversee and coordinate your care 24 hours a day.
  • A Patient Care Technician (PCTs) will assist with your care and your activities of daily living.
  • A Patient Unit Secretary will greet and assist you and your visitors when you arrive on the unit.
  • Our Social Worker will assist you with family/social issues, financial/insurance questions, finding resources, problem solving and planning for discharge to home or an alternative facility or location.
  • A Community Health Nurse will coordinate your home health needs before discharge, if needed.
  • An Environmental Service Worker will help keep your room and bathroom clean.
  • If needed, a Wound/Ostomy/Skin Care Nurse will provide teaching to you and your family if needed.
  • Pet Therapy – Is offered every Wednesday
  • Physical therapy and Occupational Therapy
  • Nutritionist/Dietician

Patient Safety

It is important that your healthcare providers properly identify you during your stay. You will have a hospital identification band that has your name, medical record number, and date of birth. You will notice the members of your health care team checking your identification band prior to giving medications, hanging blood products, drawing labs, or sending you off the unit for tests.

While in the hospital, your risk of falling increases. Some reasons your risk for falls increases are; unfamiliar environment, lots of equipment in the rooms, you may be weaker than usual; you may be on some medications that change your balance or alertness. Here are some of the ways that you can minimize those risks:

  • Keep your call button near you at all times.
  • Report any spills or objects that are on your floor or impair your ability to move freely around your room.
  • Wear footwear with rubber soles.
    • Hospital provided slippers with skid-free soles are available.
  • Make sure that you have adequate lighting to see, especially at night.
  • Be aware that some medications may cause drowsiness. Ask your nurse or patient care technician for assistance if you ever feel lightheaded or dizzy when getting up.
  • Keep assistive devices (e.g. walker, cane, glasses, hearing aid) within reach.
  • Keep your bed in the lowest position possible and keep the side rails at the top of your bed raised.
  • Be aware that equipment in your room such as your IV pole and the bedside table are on wheels and should not be used for support.
  • Be careful not to trip over IV tubing when you get out of bed.

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Patient Discharge

Preparing to Go Home

As you prepare to return home, it is important for you to know how to care for yourself. There is no specific time when you will feel back to normal; it varies for each individual. Your healthcare team will help you understand the things you need to do to take care of yourself after discharge.

If you have questions at any time, talk to a member of the team about your concerns.

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Discharge Plans

Your discharge planning actually started at admission. At the time of admission, many patients will choose a home care agency, some may already have one. Some patients may need home health nursing services for assistance with central line care, intravenous fluids or antibiotics when they are discharged. All is determined on a case by case basis.

As you get ready for discharge, a discharge coordinator will discuss with you:

  • Central line dressing changes and catheter care supplies
  • Where you will fill your prescriptions for medications taken by mouth
  • Intravenous fluid or intravenous medication needed at home
  • Your follow-up appointment/s - date, time and location.

Patients receive written information at discharge, including information about:

  • Medications
  • Self care
  • Important signs and symptoms for which you would contact your healthcare provider
    • Fever/chills
    • Uncontrolled nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
    • Any signs of bleeding, bruising
    • New headaches, rashes
  • Follow-up appointments
  • Contact persons/phone numbers

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Visitor Information

Visitors Make All the Difference

Most beneficial for many patients is the support they receive from their families and friends. Even when frequent visits are not possible due to distance, work, or school schedules, it is possible to be supportive. All rooms have dedicated telephones and there is wireless Internet access throughout the hospital. There is also a shared computer, with Internet access, in the family room on the unit. You can send cards, letters, and gifts. While all of these take some planning and thoughtfulness, they make it possible to provide support, even when you cannot visit every day.

Work or time away from the hospital may help you to keep stress to a minimum, enabling you to continue being supportive throughout the entire recovery phase. If you can make visits, don’t worry about the frequency or duration. There may be periods when there is not an opportunity for conversation. During these times, your presence is appreciated. The presence can be in person or in spirit, and can be accomplished with a note or reminder that you are there. It’s okay if your work is therapeutic for you. No one benefits from being reminded constantly about what your loved one is going through.

Guidelines for Visitors

  • Preferred hours for visiting are between 11am to 8 pm.
  • One (1) overnight guest may stay with their family member if the patient is in a private room. If this is requested and the patient is in a semi-private (shared) room- we will allow one guest if this is OK with the roommate (other patient).
  • Please do not visit if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.
  • We do not normally restrict small children from visiting; however they must be supervised at all times.
  • The bathrooms in the patient rooms are for patients only. Family and friends must use the public rest rooms available near the Red and Green Elevators.

Lodging and Accommodations

The unit Social Worker and/or Strong Guest Services can assist you with lodging and accommodations. A couple options are:

  • The American Cancer Society operates Hope Lodge and provides accommodations for cancer patients and their families who come from outside Monroe County for outpatient treatment. For information, call 800-ACS-2345 (TTY: 866-228-4327).
  • Discounted accommodations at a nearby hotel are also available to patients and families who are being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital.

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Educational Support

Our Cancer Center has a patient/family resource center which offers books, videos, education classes and support groups. Our patients will also have the opportunity to work with a medical librarian if they choose. The librarians can assist you in looking up information you may like to have.

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Home Care

Some patients may go home with medications you need to take at home. These first few weeks at home may be overwhelming for patients and their family members. We can help arrange home care services, such as nursing services, pharmacy vendors, and catheter care supplies. Your home care agency will be determined by your preference, your insurance, and where you live.

Some of the nursing and infusion agencies we most frequently use are:

  • Visiting Nurse Service (VNS)
  • LIfetime Care
  • VNA of Western NY
  • Lincare
  • American HomePatient
  • Coram Healthcare
  • PharmHealth Infusion (PHI)
  • CNY Infusion
  • Critical Care Systems
  • NYS County Health Departments

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