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CANCER PATIENTS AT TRINITAS USE WIRELESS LAPTOPS TO EMAIL, SURF, RESEARCH
OR WATCH MOVIES DURING CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSIONS
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center (TCCC) opened its new Medical Oncology
unit in November 2005 as a "state of the art" facility with a mission of
providing the very best in patient comfort and care. Now, in keeping with
its mission, the new Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is setting an even
higher standard in patient comfort by offering patients wireless laptop PCs
during their infusion therapy. All laptops are lightweight, wireless, and
fully equipped. Patients can surf the web, listen to music, watch movies or
educational CD or DVDs, or email friends and family.
"It's very important that we do everything possible to make our patient's
time at Trinitas as welcoming, and productive as possible", said Gary S.
Horan, FACHE, President and CEO of Trinitas Regional Medical Center. "The laptop PCs with
wireless Internet access and other electronic amenities, such as portable
DVD players, help patients manage some of their work and family
responsibilities, explore new interests, or just relax while they receive
their chemotherapy treatments. It is very empowering and helps these
courageous men and women keep up with and get on with their lives as we work
with them to battle this disease"
Magda Morales, a resident of Linden, couldn't be happier with the superb
level of patient care and comfort. "I really appreciate the laptops here at
the Cancer Center," said Ms. Morales. "Sometimes during my treatment I'll go
on the Internet and IM (instant message) or email my friends. Other times,
I'll do Yahoo searches to learn more about medicines and procedures."
Ms. Morales, a native of New Jersey, was residing in Puerto Rico when she
was diagnosed with colon cancer. While there, she was initially given a
chemotherapy regimen, but needed to be hospitalized to receive her
treatments. "I had to stay in the hospital for three days at a time, every
15 days. It was very inconvenient," said Ms. Morales. At her family's
urging, she returned to New Jersey and began a new regimen of treatment at
Trinitas under the care of Dr. William Kessler, Director of Clinical
Oncology at TCCC. "Under our improved treatment plan we were able to offer
Ms. Morales an infusion just once a week on an outpatient basis," said Dr.
Kessler. For Ms. Morales, her treatment at TCCC means no more overnight
stays in a hospital. "That makes life for me and my family much more
pleasant," she commented.
For patients like Magda Morales, TCCC provides a support staff whose primary
mission is patient comfort. Information technology specialists, nurses and
even program planning executives are always ready and happy to assist
patients who need help with the laptop or have other questions or concerns.
In fact, the Comprehensive Cancer Center is staffed by more than 60
professionals providing clinical, therapeutic, psychosocial, nutritional,
spiritual and other support services.
The physical layout of the oncology unit is designed to feel more like a
hotel than a hospital and to provide an ambience of relaxation, healing and
encouragement. For example, the new 15-room infusion unit consists of 11
private areas and a four-chair shared space called the "buddy bay," which
accommodates those who prefer to build relationships with other patients.
All patients have their own flat-panel color TV, a comfortable lounge chair,
and personal control over lighting and temperature. The center has a full
range of support services including amenities such as concierge service and
free valet parking.
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