Cancer Care...a team approach provides the best care
The Cancer Care Team understands the impact—emotionally, physically and spiritually—of a diagnosis of cancer has on the patient and the family. This team of health professionals is one of the most experienced, knowledgeable cancer care teams in the area. These experts consult each other regularly, plan all aspects of your cancer care, consider your personal preferences, and try to exceed your expectations.
Our Cancer Care Team
Our Cancer Care Team has high standards in providing excellent yet tender and compassionate care. We practice the Planetree Model of Care by trying to step into your shoes everyday. We offer you a patient navigator to help you learn and to decide the right care for you. Never before will you feel such strong support behind you.
Longmont United Hospital is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. This is voluntary accreditation process is completed every three years. Receiving this accreditation demonstrates Longmont United Hospital’s ability to provide high quality oncology care, support services, education and screenings to the communities it serves. Patients of this Hospital will receive:
- comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
- a multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- information and assistance in accessing clinical trials
- ongoing monitoring and improvement of care through patient outcome studies
- education and screenings to help detect cancer in its’ early stages
- leadership by a dedicated group of physicians, nurses, member of administration, and support services
If you stay at the hospital...
...the Oncology Unit at Longmont United Hospital is specialized in the care of patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer patients need a higher-level of care. The nurses work closely with patients and their families to provide personalized, sensitive care. They provide chemotherapy and biotherapy according to the Oncology Nursing Society Standards. Many of the nurses are oncology certified. Outpatient chemotherapy services are also provided in the Oncology Unit Treatment Room.
Outpatient chemotherapy services are also provided in the Oncology Unit Treatment Room.
Oncology Patient Navigator
An Oncology Patient Navigator gives assistance to patients, families, and caregivers as they begin the fight against cancer. Navigators can help patients find resources and professionals, including providers of complementary care. The navigator promotes coordinated, multidisciplinary care and communicates regularly with the patient’s care providers.
An Oncology Patient Navigator is a patient advocate. They do not direct care, but provide support to help patients to make good decisions. Patient navigators are committed to empower patients so that their treatment journey is well informed and well planned.
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Physical medicine rehabilitation provides outpatient cancer rehabilitation services to those under current medical treatments, remission and survivorship. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services assist those in various stages of cancer treatment to reach optimal levels of pain relief, edema control, function and independence.
For appointments, a doctor’s written prescription is needed. A therapy evaluation will be completed to assess each patient’s individual needs and goals. It will also help the therapist create the appropriate treatment plan. Your doctor may even recommend that you be assessed by a physical therapist prior to your surgery to establish your current level of function and ability. This allows your therapist to design a specific program to help you return to your pre-operative activity level.
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Care Coordinator (Social Worker)
Care Coordination is a coordinated effort between you, your family and the Health Care Team to develop an appropriate plan of care to meet your needs after hospitilization. The Care Coordination staff consists of Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Care Coordination RNs. Care Coordination is offered so that if needed, home care nurses, hospital equipment, Meals on Wheels, or other services will be there when you get home. The staff can provide information and support about skilled nursing facilities, financial resources, support groups and information about other long-term care services. We are here to help you know your choices and support your journey though continued care.
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Dietitians
Dietitians offer a wide variety of services to cancer patients, from preparing menus to meet their special nutritional needs to making certain foods more palatable and more nutrient dense when a patient has a loss of appetite.
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Diagnostic Radiologists
Once an imaging study such as mammogram or ultrasound is completed, specialized diagnostic radiologists at Longmont United Hospital interpret the results. Radiologists then contact your physician with the results, and consult on whether additional testing may be required.
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The Health Center of Integrated Therapies offers support for the cancer patient, as part of a multifaceted treatment plan. Services include acupuncture and massage.
- Acupuncture - Relieves nausea, reduces pain and assists with alleviating depression
- Massage - Relieves fatigue, muscular tension, pain, isolation, anxiety and stress
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Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema therapy aims to decrease the incidence and severity of swelling (lymphedema) that may be caused by surgical removal, injury to or radiation therapy of lymph nodes. Patient education and self-care are cornerstones of lymphedema therapy along with compression bandaging, exercise and manual lymphatic drainage. You may receive lymphedema therapy at Outpatient Rehabilitation Services or at our Health Center for Integrated Therapy.
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Pathologists
In the laboratory, pathologists use their collective years of experience to analyze and categorize thousands of tissue samples each year. Because cancer is really hundreds of different diseases instead of just one disease, the detailed information provided by the pathologist's report is essential to the development of a comprehensive treatment plan.
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