Cancer Services
Diagnostics
Increased diagnostic capability has been installed at SPCH last fall:
R² Computer-Aided Detection in Screening Mammography. It is used to provide another interpretation of screening mammograms, resulting in a 20% increase in the number of cancers detected and improvement in the tumor stage at detection.
Helical CT Scanner
State of the art, GE LightSpeed Plus multi-detector scanner. A chest scan now takes one breath-hold rather than 68 breath-holds and kidney stones take a 5 minute study rather than 1 ½ hour with contrast solutions. Beginning in April we will be offering chest screening for patients with a history of smoking or exposure to 2nd hand smoke.
The Short Stay Unit provides services for oncology patients as indicated. Health professionals such as social workers and dietitians work with each cancer patient to help ensure that their needs are met and their questions answered.
Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital will soon open its new Infusion Therapy Center on the hospital campus in a patient-friendly setting. This will increase the capabilities of offering local outpatient care for cancer patients. Infusion therapy includes the intravenous administration of drugs, blood, and blood products. One of the most common forms of intravenous drug therapy is chemotherapy and related treatments for oncology patients. Wound care, injections, and liver biopsies, etc. will also be provided in this unit.
Tumor Registry
Throughout Linn, Benton and Lincoln county statistics are gathered to track incidents of cancer with patient confidentiality honored. Over 110 types of cancer are tracked for staging, region or origin, community and long-term survival rates. This data is used to determine what treatments work well. The same information is compiled statewide.
A Cancer Support Group for Women meets at SPCH on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. It is facilitated by Kathy Rich, Ph.D., and L.C.S.W. Additional support groups are available for prostate cancer and grief support. For a complete listing of support groups and meetings times, click on Health Info and Classes or call (541) 574-1827.
The PCHD Foundation has a Women's Cancer Fund with dedicated to the support of women cancer patients with uninsured needs. For information about that service call (541) 574-1810.
|
back to top
