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A TREATMENT “HOME” FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER
The FWAYAOC unit provides our community an age-relevant treatment “home” for AYA-specialized oncology care, where the unique medical, biological, and psychosocial differences in young people are understood, acknowledged, and addressed as a priority instead of an afterthought.
It enables the efficient delivery of support and resources to patients who might not otherwise know they exist.
Most importantly, our unit provides young people a place of empowerment, where they can safely and confidently navigate the significant social, financial, physical, and emotional burdens that arrive with a cancer diagnosis.
If you have a young adult with cancer as a patient between the ages of 18 and 39, consider admitting them to our unit for their inpatient and outpatient needs.
Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about our unit, how to admitting a patient, and patient care.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO CAN ADMIT PATIENTS TO THE UNIT?
Any physician with admitting privileges to BSW-All Saints may admit patients to the unit. The Hospitalist Service is available to admit and follow patients on the unit, if desired.
WHAT PATIENTS CAN BE ADMITTED TO THE UNIT?
An individual aged 18-329 with a cancer diagnosis (known or highly suspected).Patients between ages 30-39 may be moved out of the unit if space needed for a younger patient
Patients who do not meet these criteria must be discussed with the Medical Director before admission.
WHO STAFFS THE UNIT?
The unit is staffed by designated BSW-All Saints nurses and ancillary staff, who are being trained specifically in AYA oncology.
Our BSW AYA team includes dedicated individuals from physical therapy, occupational therapy, pastoral care, palliative care, psychology, social work, dietary, and child life.
We have an AYA navigator (currently an FWAYAOC intern and soon to be a hired nurse navigator), who will assess the patient’s needs and introduce them to local, national, and web-based AYA resources geared to AYAs.
Patients are also visited by an AYA Child Life specialist who provides support and education to minimize stress and increase coping with the treatment experience. We also have a dedicated AYA psychologist who works with patients individually and in groups as an outpatient.
Dr. Karen Albritton, the Medical Director, is dually boarded in Pediatric and Medical Oncology.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?
There are six large, fully renovated private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, comfortable Murphy beds for guests, smart TVs, and generous storage.
The unit ends in an open floor plan common room flooded with natural light from abundant windows.
A comfortable sectional couch and armchairs surround a large screen tv, and storage full of age-appropriate games and puzzles for patients, friends, and young children.
A rec area has a bumper pool and foosball tables, Bluetooth device, stereo, and a glass message wall.
The kitchen area has a self-service refrigerator, cappuccino machine, microwave, and convection oven with age-appropriate snacks.
A “cocoon” room offers a quiet place for conversation, meditation, or reading.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE CARE?
To support your medical care of the patient, the dedicated staff above will take a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to the patient and their family needs.
Through constant team communication, weekly huddles, and regular tumor boards, the medical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient will be assessed and addressed.
Examples include offering fertility counseling, communication with the affected schools or workplaces, age-appropriate palliative care counseling (“Voicing my Choices” workbook), etc.
HOW DOES A PATIENT GET ADMITTED?
Patients who meet the criteria will be admitted through the usual Baylor Scott & White- Fort Worth processes (intake 817.922.7075) or Baylor transfer center 214-820-6444.
For discussion of other patients or any questions, call the medical director, Dr. Karen Albritton at 855.664.2922, option 1.
WHAT ABOUT OUTPATIENT INFUSIONS?
AYA patients can also receive outpatient infusions (IVF, blood products, chemotherapy, etc.) in the AYA unit 7 days a week. You can fax chemotherapy orders to 817-922-4591.
You will also need to initiate obtaining a site-specific prior authorization with the patient’s insurance company for “Baylor All Saints Ambulatory Infusion”. For questions and to schedule, call the Baylor Ambulatory Infusion Center at 817-922-4590 during normal business hours and ask for Christina Lopez.
She will give you instructions on what data needs to be faxed over and initiate the processes involved with getting that patient scheduled.
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Fax: 817-698-8471