Oncology Unit
Service/Responsibilities
The IP Oncology department is responsible for patients with cancer or a history of cancer that require chemotherapy or supportive care due to the side 
effects of chemotherapy, such as, immunosuppression, anemia, and infections. The department also takes the appropriate over flow of medical/surgical patients who do not have contagious diseases, or have open wounds with documented cases of MRSA/VRE.
Technology
The IP Oncology department uses Lastword computerized charting as well as a separate computerized chemotherapy documentation system called Intellidose for order writing, dosing and recording of treatments.
Beds
At the present time the department has 19 available beds for patient care within the unit.
In the future we hope to have two palliative care suites and decrease the total number of available beds to 16 to better serve the needs of patients with life limiting disease and their families. Currently, if census allows, vacant rooms are offered to families of terminal/critical patients for their use during the patients stay in the hospital.
Staffing
The average daily census averages 12-13 patients. In the winter months it can be as high as 16-20 patients. The unit is an all RN unit with nursing assistants and a ward clerk scheduled from 7A to 11P only. Self scheduling is available online with some basic guidelines for staff to ensure optimal coverage. Our staff works 12 hour shifts and every 3rd weekend. There are currently 2 WEO positions on each shift.
Training/Continuing Education
Required training includes EKG classes, Basic care of the oncology patient, National Chemotherapy Biotherapy provider course, In-house chemotherapy administration course, Annual chemotherapy competency reviews and Intellidose® classes. Weekly tumor conferences, prepayment for certification in oncology, and oncology review classes for those individuals wanting to take certification are also offered.