Service Line Update: Cancer Services Referral Tools

By Mikki Clancy, chief digital officer and vice president of oncology service line, Premier Health

The anxiety, fear, and dread experienced at the moment anyone hears the diagnosis of cancer can be paralyzing. Patients then rely on their physician to assist them with the next step of this journey. The trust inherent in the physician relationship means more than the advertisements and Google searches in determining the best treatment options. Premier Health Cancer Services Institute has implemented a few tools to help the referring physician ensure they are able to provide the best recommendation to the patient.

The Premier Cancer Services Referral Guide is online and updated regularly to help providers refer cancer patients to the wealth of cancer clinical and support services that are offered at Premier Health. One can easily find it by typing “Cancer Referral Guide” in the search box from the health care professionals’ section of the Premier Health website. This resource will aid you by tumor type, help select a physician that is appropriate, keep you informed of our MD Anderson affiliation and quality results, and keep you informed of the many new procedures and technologies that are offered through Premier Health Cancer Services.

Oncology nurse navigators are also available to help patients navigate the complexities of their cancer journey. Nurse navigators are available to assist with ANY new diagnosis of cancer to ensure a cohesive patient experience. Please consider an oncology nurse navigator consult for inpatient or outpatient patients via EPIC or the Navigator Referral Form for non-EPIC users.

Fall also brings forward many opportunities to raise awareness and funding for many cancer causes. Premier Health supported Brake for Breakfast at four locations this year. We also are supporting the Pink Ribbon Girls and the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation cancer funds with the purchase of pink ribbon bagels throughout the community. We are pleased to have 11 men from Premier Health working to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Please take a moment to support one of them on the Real Men Wear Pink campaign for the Greater Dayton area.

As always, if you have any questions about the new investments, procedures, or exciting work happening in Premier Health Cancer Services please reach out to Charles Bane, MD; Jim Ouellette, DO, FACS; Ryan Steinmetz, MD; or Mikki Clancy. 

Back to the October 2020 issue of Premier Pulse