INTRODUCTION
The Forest Park Cancer Program is on the verge of new and exciting programmatic development. Programs to evaluate and treat pain on our inpatient unit are underway. A new state-of-the-art outpatient diagnostic center is in the planning stages. It will provide state-of-the-art diagnostic tests in a convenient setting. This will compliment the Breast Center that already exists in the Centennial Pavilion. It opens in Febrary 2002. The inpatient unit remains strongly involved with hospice and palliative care.
The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer again approved the Cancer Program. Oncology Data Services is up to date. Tumor Conferences continue on a weekly basis. Educational venues are provided for patients, their families, as well as our staff. We look forward to the coming year. We hope that our new programs will improve the care for out patients and that the new therapeutic modalities and research brings us all closer to the eradication of cancer.
Susan Luedke, M.D.
Malignant Disease Committee Chairperson
INPATIENT ONCOLOGY SERVICES
The designated oncology inpatient unit at Forest Park Hospital is located on 7 South. The unit has a capacity of 30 beds. Most patients can be accommodated in a private room. Patients present in various phases of the health/illness cycle.
In addition, the oncology unit also provides outpatient services, such as blood transfusions, chemotherapy administration, IV fluids and medication administration.
The care of the patient and family involves a multidisciplinary approach including physicians, nursing, pharmacists, dietary, social services, physical and occupational therapy, pastoral care and home health. Hospices assist in providing services for the terminally ill patient.
Educational programs are presented frequently for the oncology nurses to update their knowledge and skills. Nursing staff supports the patient and family physical and psychological adaptation to the chronic and acute aspects of cancer.
The oncology nursing staff plays an active role in patient education and provides psychological support for patients and families, as well as community education.
For more information call Nancy Kavanaugh, RN, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist at 768-3247.
Radiation Oncology
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Forest Park Hospital continues to expand its services to cancer patients within the comprehensive cancer program here. We currently perform approximately 6,300 treatments per year within 300 patient treatment courses.
Eric J. Sutphen, MD, Director, and Associates Anna L. Fu, MD, and Frederick R. Zivnuska, MD, execute “state-of-the-art” treatments for radiation oncology patients. Supervisor Judy Wolf, RN, BSN, OCN, enhances patient care through in-depth patient education and coordination of various support services for patients, families and staff.
The department offers prostate seed implantation as well as high-dose rate brachytherapy as cancer treatment options. Three-dimensional treatment planning and conformal radiation therapy also continue to be expanded, making the department a “cutting edge” full-service radiation oncology center. The department is one of the most advanced radiation oncology facilities in the St. Louis metropolitan area having opened in October of 1996. Such “state-of-the-art” technology includes portal imaging and multi-leaf collimation.
It is our purpose as a clinical team to provide quality and compassionate care for oncology patients and their families. Patient satisfaction in these areas continue to show excellent marks for our department.
For more information regarding radiation oncology services or to schedule a consult please call 768-3068.
Eric Sutphen, M.D.
Director, Radiation Oncology
MALIGNANT DISEASE COMMITTEE
The Malignant Disease Committee (MDC) of Forest Park Hospital -- a standing committee -- is responsible for coordinating cancer activities at the hospital and meeting the requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
The MDC meets at least quarterly with additional meetings as needed. The committee is multidisciplinary with physician members from all areas of medicine (surgeons, oncologist, internist, gastroenterologist) as well as allied health professionals including nurses and residents. An administrative representative is also always in attendance.
The MDC mission statement includes several key elements:
Develops and evaluates the annual goals and objectives for the clinical, educational, and programmatic activities related to cancer; Promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to patient management; Monitors quality management and improvement through completion of quality management studies that focus on quality; Supervises Oncology Data Services and ensures accurate and timely abstracting, staging, and follow-up reporting; Publishes the Cancer Program Annual Report; Upholds medical ethical standards.
MALIGNANT DISEASE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2000
NAME/TITLE/DEPARTMENT
Jan Barrett, Director, Marketing
Catherine Beal, M.D., Radiology
Mary Boland, Director, Medical Records
Barry Brown, M.D., Gastroenterology
Gay Cunningham, Chief Nursing Officer, Administration
Peter Fonseca, M.D., Surgery
Anna Fu, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Khaled Hassan, M.D., Resident Representative
John Heckroth, M.D., Resident Representative
Veronica Johnson, M.D., Family Practice
Nancy Kavanaugh, R.N., Oncology Unit
Susan Luedke, M.D., Hematology/Oncology
Kevin Mitchell, M.D., Surgery
Linda Rodrigue, M.D., Obstetrics/Gynecology
Victor Ruiz, M.D., Surgery
Gail Sanders, Oncology Data Coordinator, Oncology Data Services
Herbert Shapiro, M.D., Surgery
Frank Shirley, M.D., Surgery
Nancy Siglitto, Director, Clinical Process Improvement
Jean Smith, Director, Patient Care Services
Eric Sutphen, M.D., Radiation Oncology (Liaison)
Subrahmanyam Vadlamani, M.D., Surgery
De Ette VanHouten, MSW, Case Management
Eugene Wienke, M.D., Pathology
Rudolph Willis, M.D., Hematology/Oncology
Judy Wolf, Supervisor, Radiation Oncology
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TUMOR CONFERENCES
Tumor Conference is a weekly educational conference that focuses on current treatments for cancer. These educational conferences give physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals an opportunity to review and discuss treatment options for cancer patients.
Various types of cancers and tumors are discussed. Each presentation consists of medical history, physical findings, clinical course, radiographic and pathological findings. Attendees include physicians from various specialties, gastroenterology, oncology, radiation, surgery as well as nurses, students and other allied health professionals.
Designated conferences are approved for one (1) hour of Category I Continuing Medical Education credit.
During 2000, 47 tumor conferences were held, discussing 91cases and a variety of topics. Average attendance at these conferences was 33. Physicians are encouraged to present cases for discussion by calling Oncology Data Services at (314) 768-3135.
OTHER CANCER RELATED ACTIVITIES
REACH TO RECOVERY:
Forest Park Hospital participates in the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program. Reach to Recovery is a volunteer visitation program. It helps a breast cancer patient meet the emotional, physical and cosmetic need related to her disease and its treatment.
This program provides information and support for women with a personal concern about breast cancer through someone who has already been there herself¾the Reach to Recovery visitor.
The program is one woman reaching out to share experiences and give support to another in a time of need.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER:
FPH also conducts regular Look Good, Feel Better sessions. This is a program that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help enhance their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatment.