Location
The Medical Oncology Unit at BWH is operated by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is located on the fifth and sixth floors of the Tower (5A and 5B, 6A through D) with units 5A and 6C licensed to DFCI and the rest licensed to BWH. As part of the ongoing development and improvement of our integrated cancer center, a new unit on the fourth floor (unit 4C) is scheduled to open in Summer 2004 for bone marrow transplant patients and other oncology patients. The new unit on 4C will have private state-of-the-art rooms with specially designed bathrooms for the high-risk fall patient in mind. Flowers are not allowed in this unit. All cancer units at BWH have a special air filtration system for patients whose low white blood cell counts put them at a higher risk of infection.
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of medical oncology physicians and nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, psychiatrists and therapists are on hand to provide you with the very best care during your stay at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.
BWH and DFCI, located across the street from one another, have a connecting bridge that allows patients easy access to services at both institutions. Outpatient care is provided at BWH and in
specialized centers at DFCI, and all inpatient care is provided at BWH.
Admitting and Registration
If you have any questions regarding your upcoming admission, please call the Sharf Admitting Center at (617) 732-8518.
Resources for Patients and Families
- The Robert and Ronnie Bretholtz Center for Patients and Families, located at Brigham and Women's Hospital behind the Schuster Lobby information desk, is a comprehensive resource center dedicated to the needs of our patients and families for support and information while receiving care at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center. The Bretholtz Center houses a main reception area, a Family Liaison service, Patient/Family Relations, and the Michele and Howard Kessler Health Education Library. It is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; weekend hours vary. For more information, call (617) 732-8103.
- The Blum Patient/Family Resource Center, located off the Main Lobby at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, provides information on cancer care and support services, as well as books and videotapes that can be borrowed by patients and families. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Satellite family resource centers — open to all cancer patients and their families — are located at Brigham and Women's Hospital on the sixth floor, in the outpatient area of the Gillette Center for Women's Cancers at DFCI and in Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic (pediatric care). Patients and families are encouraged to relax there or pick up information. For more information about any of the Blum Patient/Family Resource Centers, please call (617) 632-5570 or (888) 525-5068.
- Cancer support and educational groups are another important resource for patients and families. Please call (617) 632-3301 or 1-800-4-CANCER for more information.
Chaplaincy
For information about religious and spiritual support from hospital chaplains, visit our Brigham and Women's Chaplaincy Services web page.
Meals
Nutrition is especially important for medical oncology patients. A diet technician will discuss meal options with you when you arrive, and a diet technician or dietitian will continue to visit you daily. Inpatient units also make available a variety of snacks between meals and throughout the night to better accommodate patients' unique needs. If you have any questions about your diet or individual food needs, please contact your nurse who will page the dietitian assigned to your care.
Visitors
Please read about our Hospital Visiting Hours.
