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If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, you will have many important issues to consider and decisions to make. But there is one very important thing you won’t have to worry about – where you can find the best possible treatment for your condition. That’s because the best in today’s cancer care is available right here, close to home at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.
The oncology program has been recognized by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons as offering high-quality cancer care and has earned the Outstanding Achievement Award. It is a recognition of the quality of our comprehensive patient care and of our commitment that you will have access to all Good Sam’s various medical specialists who are involved in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Care at a Commission on Cancer approved cancer program ensures that you will receive:
- Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
- A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients
- Access to cancer-related information, education and support
- A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up
- Information about ongoing cancer clinical trials and new treatment options
Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. To meet the standards necessary for Commission approval, each cancer program and the organization that controls it, must undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of performance. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.
The Cancer Care Program at Good Samaritan includes prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease and multiple primary tumors, psychosocial support and care at the end of life.
While treatment can seem overwhelming, at Good Samaritan’s approved cancer treatment program you can be assured that you will receive the best in care and that your condition will be watched carefully through a lifelong program of follow-up care.
Within this section of the web site, the various departments, programs and support services that are an integral part of the Medical Center’s comprehensive cancer care services are highlighted.
If you have any questions about Good Samaritan’s cancer program, please call the Physician & Health Referral Line at (631) 376-4444.
Cancer Services Program of Western Suffolk
The Cancer Services Program is administered by Good Samaritan Hospital and is a network of health care professionals and organizations that work to provide cancer services to the community. The program reimburses hospitals and health care providers in Western Suffolk County for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic services to uninsured and underinsured men and women. Individuals interested in the program must be eligible based on age, income, place of residence etc.
For more information, click on the logo below or call (631) 376-3434.
Related Support Services
Physical Therapy
The physical therapist has an important role to play in the rehabilitation process of the cancer patient, whether the goals are preventative, restorative, supportive or palliative. One goal of rehabilitation is to lessen the impact that the specific disability has on the individual’s everyday life. Physical therapy can help cancer patients achieve functional independence and improve their qualify of life. A therapist may address functional tasks, positioning and splinting of extremities, lymphedema control, wound desensitization and scar management. Rehabilitation can assist patients with proper body mechanics, ambulation, prosthetics, wheelchair mobility, range of motion and strengthening exercises. An integral part of physical therapy is patient and family education to assist with the patient’s care and promote a safe environment upon discharge.
Social Work
The oncology social worker provides discharge planning, assistance and emotional support to cancer patients who are unable to be cared for safely at home. Coordinating with the family, the social worker arranges the patient’s transfer from the hospital to either a long or short-term care skilled nursing facility.
Nutritional Assistance
In accordance with the standard of care of the Department of Nutrition and Food Service, all patients are screened for nutrition risk within 24 hours of admission and the dietitian will complete a nutrition assessment within 48 hours of screening. During the assessment and subsequent reassessment, past, current and future cancer treatments are considered when determining the patient’s nutritional care plan. Due to the unique needs of the cancer patient, a list of alternative food choices is available to help manage symptoms and aid intake. The dietitian works closely with the patient and family to formulate individual meal plans, snacks and nutritional supplements to suit the patient’s specific needs.
During an initial consultation with the radiation oncologist, all patients will receive a nutrition screening. Patients will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, which includes diagnosis, age, height, weight, weight change, symptoms and whether they would like to speak with a registered dietitian. The dietitian will review the self-screens and contact the patient by telephone for consultation providing recommendations for improved nutritional status.
Hospice Care
Patients elect Good Shepherd Hospice when curative treatment modalities are ineffective in stopping the oncological process. The Hospice focus during the last six months of life is to maintain comfort, thus allowing the patient and family to live life fully and engage in a reconciliation process. The care at home is accomplished through an array of health care professionals available 7 days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day. Direct admission to Good Samaritan’s Oncology Unit is arranged by Hospice when symptoms can no longer be adequately addressed at home, when a patient does not want to die at home or if the family needs respite.
Pastoral Care
Chaplains offering pastoral/spiritual care are part of the multidisciplinary oncology team. Pastoral/spiritual care services are available for patients, families and staff on the oncology unit, as well as other patient care areas in the hospital. Pastoral/spiritual support includes praying with patients and/or their families as requested, facilitating a weekly caregivers support group, as well as, providing ongoing appropriate spiritual and emotional support through prayerful presence and attentive listening. In addition, sacramental ministry by ordained priest chaplains is also available. Members of the pastoral/spiritual care team will be happy to contact a patient’s pastor or rabbi at the patient’s request.
Home Care
Patients receiving cancer care at Good Samaritan can receive continued acute nursing and therapy services in their home environment through Good Samaritan Home Care. Patients can be facilitated in their recovery process following surgery or other hospitalization with nursing visits, home health aide care, therapy services, social work assistance, nutritional counseling and pastoral care. The multidisciplinary Home Care team provides assistance following radiation and chemotherapy treatment. They also communicate with the physician concerning patient status and response to medication and other treatment modalities. Laboratory work and X-rays can be arranged in the home environment for the homebound patient. Home Care also offers a volunteer “friendly visitor” program to provide support and companionship to patients and their families. Home Care nurses are trained in pain management techniques and are able to provide intrathecal pain medication in the home. Professional staff is available 7 days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day, for phone consultation and patient visits, as needed.
For more information, call (631) 376-4300.
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Breast Health Center
Cancer Surgery
Diagnostic Imaging Services (Radiology)
Mammography & Breast Diagnostic Center
Radiation Oncology Department
Support Groups
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