Download Busby Biese_TOPPIC_Tips for Bringing Cancer Pts to the ED

Facing Cancer After Hours:
Bringing Your Loved One
to the Emergency Room
Kevin Biese, MD, MAT
Department of Emergency Medicine
Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine
Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs Emergency Medicine
Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Jan Busby-Whitehead, MD, AGSF
Division of Geriatric Medicine
Center for Aging and Health
Professor and Chief, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Director, Center for Aging and Health
The challenges of bringing
older adults to the ED
The particular challenges of bringing
loved ones with cancer to the ED
• Making sure the doctors and nurses know your
loved one’s medical history and medications
• Already feeling ill from
the effects of cancer
treatment
Reasons to go the UNC ED
• Open 24/ 7/ 365
• Physicians and nurses with advanced
training in caring for complicated
cancer patients
• Physicians and nurses
with advanced training
in caring for older adults
Reasons to go the UNC ED
• Have the ability to quickly diagnose and
treat changes in your condition
• Connect you quickly to your team of cancer
doctors to make sure you get integrated
care
Tips for going to the ED
#1: Bring the medications
#2: Ensure the triage team knows your
loved one has cancer
• When possible, the triage nurse will help your
loved one wait in an area with less infectious
exposures
#3: Stay with your loved one
when possible
• You are your loved one’s advocate and
supporting historian
#4: Know your loved one’s
treatment wishes
• Know which interventions
they want done if they
are very sick
#5: Ask the ED doctor to contact
your cancer team of doctors
#6: Prepare for ED discharge
• Tell the nurse what your understanding
of the discharge instructions are
• Listen to the discharge instructions
with your loved one
• Make sure you have what
you need when you leave
the ED and that you feel
you are safe to go home
Keeping your loved one healthy takes a
team: and you are on the team!