Diagnosis and Treatment
Advanced diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients requires a coordinated program of care from a team of different medical specialists. A plan of care and treatment is determined and implemented by board-certified physicians with expertise in areas such as medical oncology, pathology, pulmonary medicine, radiology, radiation oncology, general surgery, and specialized surgery.
Learn more about our programs by selecting a link below:
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Inpatient Services at the Oncology Unit
- Outpatient Services
- Complete Personal Care
Diagnostic Imaging
Jefferson Regional Medical Center is home to state-of-the-art equipment for medical imaging. Diagnostic imaging is especially important for the development of treatment plans for cancer patients. Our fully accredited diagnostic imaging suite offers the following services.
- CT Guided Needle Biopsy
- CT Scan
- PET/CT
- Mammography
- MRI
- Nuclear Medicine
- Sentinel Node Biopsy
- Spiral CT Scan
- Stereotactic Biopsy
- Ultrasound
Inpatient Services at the Oncology Unit
The Inpatient Oncology Unit at Jefferson Regional Medical Center is a 26-bed-facility with state-of-the-art care and a dedication to serving the special needs of cancer patients and their families.
Treatment for cancer requires the skills and talent of physicians from many different medical specialties. Physicians associated with the Oncology Unit are board-certified in areas including medical oncology, surgery, pulmonary medicine, urology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology.
The nursing staff are dedicated to the unique needs and treatments for patients with cancer. In fact, more than half of the staff are registered as Oncology Certified Nurses (OCNs), a title which requires them to pass a rigorous test specific to oncology, the delivery of chemotherapy, and oncology nursing care. Many others have received training at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for Cancer Care and Chemotherapy Administration.
Radiation services are now available on campus due to a recent joint venture with UPMC and Jefferson Regional Medical Center providing state of the art Radiation Oncology services here in our community. Services are provided for both inpatients and outpatients and include Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Gated Radiation treatments will start in the spring of 2008. All of this technology is the latest that medical science has to offer and it is available at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Palliative care and inpatient hospice care are available and can be provided and coordinated through the Oncology Unit.
For questions related to our inpatient services, call the Patient Care Manager for the Oncology Unit at 412-469-7136.
Outpatient Services
In addition to providing services for our cancer care program, The Infusion Center assists all Jefferson Regional Medical Center physicians by offering skilled nursing in highly specialized outpatient services.
Located on the Oncology Unit at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, The Infusion Center is regularly staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, but arrangements can also be made for treatments at other times. To make an appointment at The Infusion Center, call Jefferson Regional Medical Center's central scheduling number at 412-469-5234.
The Infusion Center services include the following capabilities.
- Blood administration
- Difficult IV starts
- Dressing changes of wounds, central lines, PICCs, and midlines
- Foley catheters
- Immunization panels
- Injections
- IV therapy of all types including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and biotherapy
- Lab draws from central lines and implanted ports
- Lab tests including PPD, TSH, TRH, cortisol stim and plasma catecholamines
- Observation and assessment
- Paracentesis assistance
- Port access
- Self-injection training
- Specialists in vascular access and maintenance, including placement of PICC and midlines using ultrasound technology
- Therapeutic phlebotomies
- Water deprivation testing
Complete Personal Care
As with all healthcare services offered at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, our cancer care program includes the personal attention and assistance in managing your life during illness.
Care for Total Wellness
During and after inpatient treatment, patients benefit from our multidisciplinary approach to care, which includes spiritual care for patients and families, nutrition counseling, and psychiatric and behavioral counseling.
Care for Returning Home
Before discharge from inpatient services, patients meet with a case management team that include a dedicated oncology social worker and a registered nurse. They help coordinate the services that patients need after leaving the hospital, in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh-Jefferson Regional Medical Center Home Health Agency or other home health agencies of choice.
Care at End of Life
Patient care at the end of life (also called palliative care) can be arranged by the Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Inpatient Palliative Care is available from the Palliative Patient and Family Support Service office. Referrals to both inpatient and outpatient Hospice providers can also be arranged.