Procedure Name: Chemotherapy
Department Responsible for performing Procedure:
Outpatient Oncology
Department Contact Information:
(770) 991-8310
Where to Report:
For your first visit, please enter through the Outpatient Entrance and go to Registration. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Even if you have recently been hospitalized, you must register and sign a consent form. For future visits you can go directly to the Outpatient Oncology Unit. It is located on the 4th floor of the B building. Take the B elevators to the 4th floor and turn left after exiting. Outpatient Oncology is located at the end of the hallway.
What to Bring:
- Physician Order
- Any forms from your physician relating to this visit
- Your insurance / Medicaid / Medicare card
- Driver's License / Photo Identification
- All of your medications OR a listing of all medications along with the dose, how often you take it, and the last time you took it
- A list of all of your allergies
- Please check with your insurance carrier for any authorization requirements.
- Any films or reports from relevant studies not performed at Southern Regional.
Patient Instructions:
- Unless your physician tells you otherwise, there is no special preparation needed.
- Please read the Procedure Information for additional instructions and information.
- Please follow any other specific instructions given to you by your doctor.
Procedure Information:
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer. Most chemotherapy is given intravenously and reaches all parts of the body, not just cancer cells. The doctor recommends a treatment plan for each individual with cancer based on the type of cancer, their overall health and medical history, and their tolerance for specific medications.
You may be weighed and measured when arriving in Outpatient Oncology. A nurse or technician will take your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. If your doctor orders a blood test before the treatment, the nurse will collect the sample. Blood test results may take 30-60 minutes. The nurse will then start an IV in your arm or hand.
The chemotherapy must be ordered from the Pharmacy. When your medication arrives, it will be attached to the IV. Most people will receive medications to decrease the chance of nausea from the treatment. It will be given first. The length of the infusion will depend on the medication(s) and fluids ordered by the doctor. Some medications may be given over 30-60 minutes, while others may be given over several hours. The nurse will remove the IV needle at the end of the treatment.
Additional Information:
At your first visit you will be asked to complete a medical history form. During your first visit, when you are registering at Main Admissions, you may sign a "frequent flyer" consent. This will be good for one year so that you will not have to go through the admission process again during this period. If your treatment continues through lunchtime, lunch will be provided for you. The unit has lounge chairs for your comfort and televisions for your entertainment. You may bring reading material.