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Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
What is the "rule" for getting inpatient vs. outpatient care after stem cell transplant, regarding distance to travel (from home to hospital)? Does it differ between countries?
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Lacerta - Who do you know with myeloma?: Mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Autumn 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
I am scheduled for outpatient, and there is a distance radius from the hospital. Travel time must be 45 minutes or less.
Re: Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
Princess Margaret hospital in Toronto allows people to go outpatient if they live within 75 km (45 mi) of the hospital.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
I don't think that there is a definite rule other than the fact that, where they are done, distance is a factor. A lot of the decision rests with the protocol that a particular cancer center follows and what one's insurance will pay for. Then, a person can also request that their transplant be done on an outpatient basis. Distance is important because you will have to go to the hospital on a daily basis for bloodwork, etc. Traveling a long distance when you aren't in the best condition and are easily fatigued isn't good. Also, if something happens and you need to get to the hospital quickly, you don't want to be too far from the transplant hospital.
Many transplant centers who regularly do outpatient transplants have apartments available to rent, or other similar housing available, if you live too far from the transplant center. Some insurances will pay all, or some, of the cost of staying near the hospital.
If you are thinking of maybe having an outpatient transplant and your oncologist is agreeable, start talking with the social worker to get all of the information / help that you need for that type of transplant.
Nancy in Phila
Many transplant centers who regularly do outpatient transplants have apartments available to rent, or other similar housing available, if you live too far from the transplant center. Some insurances will pay all, or some, of the cost of staying near the hospital.
If you are thinking of maybe having an outpatient transplant and your oncologist is agreeable, start talking with the social worker to get all of the information / help that you need for that type of transplant.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
I just learned today that London (Ontario) Regional Cancer Centre does not do outpatient stem cell transplants, even if you live within city limits.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Criteria, inpatient vs. outpatient stem cell transplant?
Hi Lacerta,
Completely depends on the institution. Some only do outpatient, others only inpatient, and the rest a mix. If they offer both, the principle is that the patient has to be able to make it to the clinic daily without great difficulty. Some hospitals have facilities for out-of-town patients to stay at while getting outpatient treatment.
Advantages to outpatients include them getting more exercise, which speeds recovery, and the reduced risk of picking up nasty infections in the hospital, especially while neutropenic. Some institutions give Neupogen to inpatients to reduce the neutropenic time period and speed up initial recovery, and other institutions give Neupogen as needed to outpatients.
Pros and cons to both.
Completely depends on the institution. Some only do outpatient, others only inpatient, and the rest a mix. If they offer both, the principle is that the patient has to be able to make it to the clinic daily without great difficulty. Some hospitals have facilities for out-of-town patients to stay at while getting outpatient treatment.
Advantages to outpatients include them getting more exercise, which speeds recovery, and the reduced risk of picking up nasty infections in the hospital, especially while neutropenic. Some institutions give Neupogen to inpatients to reduce the neutropenic time period and speed up initial recovery, and other institutions give Neupogen as needed to outpatients.
Pros and cons to both.
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SK1 - Name: SK
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 62
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