HEALTHCARE
Cancer Care During COVID-19:
Compassion, Enhanced Safety
Protocols and Telehealth
Limiting exposure to the virus is a priority, especially for patients
with pre-existing conditions such as cancer.
Compiled by Miles Z. Epstein
Editor, COMMERCE
As if COVID-19 wasn’t challenging
enough, cancer care remains an important
part of healthcare and a key,
life-saving practice area for New Jersey’s top
hospitals. With enhanced safety protocols,
treatments continued using virtual, telehealth
consultations and follow-up exams and in-person
visits, when absolutely necessary. Limiting
exposure to the virus is a priority, especially for
patients with pre-existing conditions such as
cancer. Here’s how cancer care has continued
during COVID-19.
Atlantic Health System
Cancer Care
By Eric Whitman, M.D.,
Medical Director
Atlantic Health System hospitals
remain open and staffed for the
care of our cancer patients. With
enhanced safety protocols in place, we continue
to see patients for infusion therapy, radiation
oncology, cancer surgery, imaging and other
needs focused on diagnosing and treating cancer.
Our phase 1-3 clinical trials, including our
NCORP trials, are all open and we continue to
open and enroll patients in new trials. When
appropriate, we encourage follow-up visits
through telehealth. For some patients on oral
chemotherapies or immunotherapies, we can
mail medications directly to their homes. Extra
precautions for the safety of our patients and
staff include prohibiting visitors during outpatient
and inpatient treatment. Our cancer
center team members can meet patients at the
door if physical or other support is needed. For
patients and employees, temperature checks
and hand sanitizing are performed as they enter
the building. Facemasks are required and social
distancing is maintained. If a patient prefers to
wear gloves, we provide them. Our staff wash
their hands and disinfect exam rooms and hightouch
surfaces, such as doorknobs, clipboards
and light switches between each patient. Atlantic
Health System continues to follow safety recommendations
from the American College of
Surgeons and other professional organizations.
Hackensack Meridian Health,
John Theurer Cancer Center
By Andre Goy, M.D.,
Chairman and Executive Director;
Lymphoma Division Chief;
Physician-in-Chief of the Hackensack
Meridian Health Oncology Care
Transformation Service
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at
John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University
Medical Center is doing all we can to ensure
people can continue their cancer care, while taking
extra steps to ensure everyone’s safety. Adhering to
cancer treatments is vital to achieve the best outcomes.
Patients in active treatment can still come
in to receive their care, such as chemotherapy or radiation
therapy, with additional precautions. Only
one entrance is open at the John Theurer Cancer
Center, and everyone who enters is screened for
symptoms, including temperature taken and is
required to wear a mask. All staff members also
wear masks. No visitors are permitted, with the
exception of caretakers of people with cancer in
unique situations, who are also screened and wear
masks. Patients who arrive with COVID-19 symptoms
are directed to an isolated elevator, met by
a COVID-19-designated team, tested for the infection
and connected with a COVID-19 medical
oncologist who works with the rest of their care
team. Patients not in active treatment who have
follow-up visits may still be able to have needed
imaging exams. Other follow-up visits may be rescheduled
or conducted by virtual visit.
Holy Name Medical Center,
Holy Name Health
By Jean T. Jordan,
VP, Oncology Services,
Sister Patricia Lynch Cancer Center
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,
we continued to treat our
patients with compassionate, state-of-the-art
cancer care utilizing all necessary precautions,
including PPE and social distancing in waiting
and treatment areas, and expanding telemedicine
services. Because cancer treatment is specific
to each individual, our physicians provided care,
as they do at all times, based on each person’s
unique medical condition. Typically, physicians
met with new patients in person, and performed
long-term follow-up telemedicine visits. Treat-
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