Children
If the patient is a child, the staff at the center should be experienced in
meeting the child's special needs, both medical and psychological. Age-appropriate
activities should be available to the child. If other children in the family
will accompany the patient to the transplant center, inquire about the facilities
and services available for them. Schooling and childcare availability should
be discussed.
The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has pediatric services, both inpatient and outpatient, designed to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients and their family members. The specially trained pediatric physician-nurse team manages the care and treatment of children. A child life specialist works with the family and other members of the health care team to meet the emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients. A playroom for children is located in the outpatient clinic and special equipment and toys are available in the pediatric inpatient unit. The Hutch School is an accredited K through 12 program with the State of Washington. Both school-aged patients and school-aged relatives of patients may enroll. Hutch School teachers communicate with the student's home school to work out an appropriate academic plan, which will allow the child to maintain educational progress.
Visitation Policy
Are family members and friends welcome to visit during the hospital stay? May
family members come and go 24 hours a day? Are facilities such as eating, waiting
or recreation areas provided for the comfort of family members?
At the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, visiting hours in the inpatient units are completely open. Both children and adults who do not have an infectious disease may visit the patient.
Getting Answers
Another important consideration is the ease or difficulty, and the cost, of
communication with the center. Can one get prompt responses to questions?
It is important that the patient and family members be comfortable with the staff and services at the center that is chosen, so energy can be focused on getting well. Of course, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is proud of the transplantation success it has had through the years. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center believes its program offers the most advanced treatment and personal care available.
For more information about accessing the Fred Hutchinson Bone Marrow Transplant program, call the SCCA Patient Intake Office at (206) 288-1024.
To Make Arrangements for Consultation or Transplantation:
Contact the SCCA Patient Intake office at the above number. A patient representative
is assigned to each patient to respond to inquiries and to coordinate the initiation
of the transplant process. A physician is available to discuss treatment plans.
To Discuss the Financial Aspects of Treatment:
Contact Patient Financial Services at (206) 288-1113. A Patient Financial Representative
works with the patient and insurance company to obtain insurance approval for
treatment.
For Housing and School Arrangements:
Contact the SCCA Patient Intake Office at the above number and ask for Patient
and Family Services. They can provide information on housing and schooling for
children. The Hutch School also has a direct phone number (206) 325-1489.
For Information on Donor Searches or Unrelated Donor Transplants:
Ask the SCCA Patient Intake Office about the Unrelated Transplant Program.
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