Medical Oncology 4 – Internal Medicine and Geriatric Supportive Care

It is a centre for clinical, educational and scientific activities focused on the care, prevention and treatment of side effects or toxicity resulting from cancer therapies administered for curative or palliative purposes. Furthermore, it addresses patients’ emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Within the department, services are provided in accordance with the type of appointment recorded in the facility’s relevant schedules.

Patients and their carers visiting the facility must register their attendance by going to the reception and submitting the necessary documentation. Subsequently, the nursing staff, having been informed of their arrival by the administrative staff, will assess which nurse to assign to them. They will then be accompanied to the assigned station.

The service offers the option to book follow-up appointments and arrange additional services via the issuance of electronic referrals.

The patient is assessed by the referring clinician by reviewing their oncological history via WHospital. The referring oncologist informs the facility’s medical staff of the patient’s needs based on the identified health issue.

Once the administrative registration is complete, the patient is accompanied by healthcare staff (nurses and healthcare assistants) to the assigned station. Vital signs will be taken by nursing staff / healthcare assistants and the procedures indicated at the time of booking will be carried out.

The main procedures performed are:

• Blood sampling from a venipuncture site or various types of central venous catheters (PICC, Port-a-Cath, Proline)
• Transfusion of blood components (packed red blood cells, platelets)
• Infusion of immunoglobulins
• Infusion of antifungals and antibiotics
• Infusions of saline solutions with electrolyte supplementation
• Maintenance of central venous accesses
• Various types of dressings

Should the patient’s condition require hospitalisation, nursing and support staff are available to transfer them to the designated facility.

This is assessed based on the patient’s condition and the availability of sufficient staff to allow healthcare personnel to leave the facility.

Within the facility, LILT volunteers carry out their activities to support patients and their carers.