After you receive a cancer diagnosis, one of the many questions you may have in mind is where you can go for treatment.
Searching for a good oncology center can be a daunting task, given your health condition, but investing some time and effort into it will yield good results over the long run. Here are a few tips to help you streamline your search for the best oncology center.
1.) GET A REFERRAL FROM YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.
Your primary health care provider can help you find the best oncology center. They can give you a list of good referrals. Review the list and narrow it down to those that you believe best suit your preference.
2.) CONSIDER THE CENTER’S CREDENTIALS.
There are organizations that have made it their mission to review hospitals and cancer centers offering treatment and ensure that they meet the specific quality cancer care standards.
It is imperative that you choose an oncology center that holds accreditation by any of the following organizations:
- American College of Radiology
- American College of Surgeons
- Commission on Cancer
- National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer
3.) FIND OUT ABOUT WHETHER THEY ALLOW FOR EASY ACCESS TO THE ELEMENTS OF YOUR TREATMENT.
When doing your research, find out which oncology centers on your list offer services under one roof or, at least, in a convenient location.
Fatigue and exhaustion are a few of the common side effects of cancer treatment. You would want an oncology center that allows for easy access to the elements of your treatment, such as chemotherapy, pharmacy services, and radiation therapy. The last thing you want is to have to drive or walk all over an expansive place to get what you need.
4.) ASSESS QUALITY OF SERVICES THROUGH PATIENT REVIEWS.
You must also consider the quality of an oncology center’s services. One of the best ways to do this is through patient reviews, which can tell you a lot about patient’s experiences or perceptions of their treatment outcomes, the staff attitude, equipment, and scheduling.
Cancer is a progressive disease. Thus, treatment can take a long time. Make sure that you ascertain that you feel comfortable with the staff of the oncology center.
5.) GO FOR ONE THAT IS LOCATED CLOSE BY.
Cancer treatment may require multiple visits a week, so you wouldn’t want to choose a facility that requires a full-day travel just to get there. Finding an oncology center close to where you live is especially helpful if you have transportation or mobility issues and helps ensure you can show up for all of your treatment sessions.
THE BEST ONCOLOGY CENTER IN WOOSTER, OH
Here at Wooster Community Hospital, we provide comprehensive cancer care services under one roof. We have equipped our cancer center with 17 private or semi-private wellness suites (infusion bays), as part of our goal to provide a conducive environment for our patients undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
To learn more about our oncology services, you may call us at (330) 263-8100 or email us at contactus@wchosp.org.