Cancer Care at Scott & White continued
Pathways to better care
“We’ve always known integrated,
coordinated care across our service area
is important, and I believe no one’s been
able to do that effectively at locations
that span a geography like ours, which
encompasses 29,000 square miles,” says
Scott & White Cancer Institute Director
W. Roy Smythe, MD. He is also senior
vice president of Institute Development
and medical director of innovation
for Scott & White Healthcare, as well
as professor of surgery at the Texas
A&M Health Science Center College
of Medicine. “Cancer is a complicated
disease process where patients may
need to see six or more physicians who
specialize in surgery, radiation, etc. We
have to open more doors for patients to
access care conveniently throughout our
network of hospitals.” The healthcare
system is also upgrading its electronic
medical records system, to assist caregivers
as they implement patient care. (See the
Project Phoenix story on page 32.)
“About 90 percent of cancer care will
be delivered at our regional locations,
but the most serious cases—the ones
that require tertiary, or the highest
level of care available—will need to
be done at the Vasicek Center,” says
Dr. Smythe. Cancer treatment can
include radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
imaging exams, and biopsies. But that’s
only part of the equation; a patient with
cancer may need social, psychological,
emotional, and spiritual support too. As
Dr. Smythe says, “Cancer is a family of
diseases. We have to care for patients,
not just the disease.”
Scott & White caregivers are
delivering care with compassion, in
environments that let patients know
their team is listening to them and is
on their side. Dr. Watson says, “As
clinicians, we’re encouraged by the
statistics, but we need to remember
that newly diagnosed patients are in
shock. We reassure them that we’ll
be there for them each step of the
way, and we make sure they know
their team members. A lot of patients
diagnosed with cancer say the
hardest part is the unknown,
so we make a concerted effort
to let them know exactly what
our plan is, what treatment
they’re receiving, and the
expected outcome.”
No matter where patients
are, they’ll be greeted by
teams of caregivers specially
trained in clinical care to help
patients and families cope as
they struggle with a cancer
diagnosis and treatment.
Janelle Comiskey
faces cancer with
courage. Her
healthcare team
is behind her all
the way.
12
The Catalyst November 12 | sw.org
Cancer Center locations
“Many patients are diagnosed with
cancer in the six-county area that we
serve each year,” says Joseph Prosser,
director of Radiation Oncology at Scott
& White Healthcare. “These patients
have been receiving high-quality medical
care at Hillcrest, and we’re pleased to
bring radiation therapy expertise to
the population of patients who need
it as part of their treatment.” About
65 percent of patients diagnosed with
cancer will need radiation therapy, and
will benefit from radiation oncology
modalities called intensity modulated
radiation therapy (IMRT) and image
guided radiation therapy (IGRT). “The
standard of care is changing for the
community, so patients won’t have to
drive a great distance to Dallas or
Houston to receive this high level of
care,” he says.
Marti Fowler, manager of clinic
operations, Scott & White Hospital
- College Station, and her team of
caregivers and support staff are
very excited about the new Scott &
White Cancer Center - College Station,
scheduled to open in August 2013.
“The new facility will increase our space
tremendously. We will go from having
seven infusion chairs for chemotherapy
and transfusions to a total of 23 chairs,”
she says. The space will include options
for both private and social settings
during treatment and will boast views
of the hospital’s healing garden. “It’s
going to be an amazing space, with a lot
of natural light to promote peace and
healing. The new facility will change
Palliative care for patients with cancer makes a tremendous difference!
Learn how at swcatalyst.org.