1. Hotel-based ambulatory care for complex cancer patients: a review of the University College London Hospital experience.
- Author
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Sive J, Ardeshna KM, Cheesman S, le Grange F, Morris S, Nicholas C, Peggs K, Statham P, and Goldstone AH
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Ambulatory Care statistics & numerical data, Emergency Treatment methods, Emergency Treatment statistics & numerical data, Hematologic Neoplasms therapy, Hospitals, University, Humans, Length of Stay statistics & numerical data, London, Middle Aged, Patient Admission statistics & numerical data, Reproducibility of Results, Sarcoma therapy, Young Adult, Ambulatory Care methods, Drug Therapy methods, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation methods, Neoplasms therapy
- Abstract
Since 2005, University College London Hospital (UCLH) has operated a hotel-based Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) for hematology and oncology patients requiring intensive chemotherapy regimens and hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Between January 2005 and 2011 there were 1443 patient episodes, totaling 9126 patient days, with increasing use over the 6-year period. These were predominantly for hematological malignancy (82%) and sarcoma (17%). Median length of stay was 5 days (range 1-42), varying according to treatment. Clinical review and treatment was provided in the ACU, with patients staying in a local hotel at the hospital's expense. Admission to the inpatient ward was arranged as required, and there was close liaison with the inpatient team to preempt emergency admissions. Of the 523 unscheduled admissions, 87% occurred during working hours. An ACU/hotel-based treatment model can be safely used for a wide variety of cancers and treatments, expanding hospital treatment capacity, and freeing up inpatient beds for those patients requiring them.
- Published
- 2012
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