The care you need doesn't have to wait

Your healthcare needs didn’t stop for COVID-19 and we didn’t stop providing care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). Providing compassionate care for our patients and doing so safely is our highest priority, because the care you need doesn’t have to wait! Our safety practices follow, and in many cases exceed, standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Doing our parts to ensure safety of patients and staff

We all need to do our part to get you the care you need while avoiding infection during your visit.

Here’s what we’re doing:

All employees are required to wear face masks.
All employees are screened carefully before being allowed to report to work. This includes temperature checks and detailed screening for symptoms.
Rooms are sanitized between patients and public areas are cleaned often.
We’re changing public spaces to allow everyone to keep a safe (6 feet) physical distance. This includes extra space between chairs and limiting the number of people using elevators at a time.

Here’s what we’re asking you to do when you visit the VICC for your appointment:

Everyone must wear a face mask. We encourage you to bring yours from home.
Everyone will be screened before entry. This includes temperature checks and questions about symptoms.
Patients who are having surgery or any other procedure that requires general anesthesia will be tested for COVID-19 infection before their procedure.
Some patients will be tested for COVID-19 prior to starting certain therapy regimens and stem cell transplant regimens. Your provider will let you know if you need a test prior to treatment.
Currently, our restricted COVID-19 visitation policy remains in place. The only valet station currently open is at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (entrance at Pierce Avenue, Preston Research Building)

Telehealth

We are still expanding VICC telehealth efforts! When you schedule your appointment or when our team calls to confirm your appointment, you can discuss whether telehealth is an option for your care. We have been working with Walgreens and other outside providers to provide local access to labs, EKGs, and other tests that might be needed for your visit.
Telehealth visits are conducted within My Health at Vanderbilt – a free, convenient online tool that you can use to message your provider, schedule appointments, view your medical records and test results, and more. See our website for more information about telehealth.
Patients can reach financial counselors as well as Genetics and Survivorship program via telehealth and telephone. Please reach out to your provider or call (615) 936-VICC (8422).

Clinical Trials

With clinical trials open, research nurses and clinical coordinators are on campus and at One Hundred Oaks on a full-time basis. The regulatory and data teams continue to work remotely with limited time on-site as needed. Walgreens services will be standardized for all studies moving forward.

Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, patient enrollment on clinical trials were placed on hold March 25th. Investigators coordinated with Investigational Drug Service to ship drugs to those patients already enrolled on clinical trials. Research visits were converted to telehealth appointments with research nurse consultations. When labs, EKGs and other procedures were needed, VICC worked with Walgreens and other outside providers to provide those services in a safe environment local to the patient.

See our website for clinical trials currently being offered by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Masks still needed!

If you love to sew but don’t enjoy the cutting and measuring, we have face mask-making kits available in the VICC Patient and Family Resource Center, located by the 1st floor waiting area of The Vanderbilt Clinic. The kits come complete with fabric, elastic, and directions. We just ask that you donate them back to us once completed so that we can distribute!

For more information, please contact Julie Bulger, VICC Manager Patient and Family-Centered Care, at 615-936-5706 or Julie.bulger@vumc.org.

VICC e-Advisory Council

Due to COVID-19, VICC has shifted plans for an in-person VICC Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) to an online e-Advisory Council. To truly partner with our patients and caregivers, it is important to hear their voices which will guide decisions around improving service, safety, programs, educational, and experience initiatives. The Council will include a diverse representation of those whom VICC serves. Through the Advise Vanderbilt platform, over 80 participants have been recruited with a goal of at least tripling this number.

We are actively recruiting within VICC’s current patient and family population, specifically those receiving care within the past 3 years. You may sign-up to be a VICC e-Advisor here! Questions? Contact Julie.Bulger@vumc.org or 615-936-5706.

Resources

Visit VICC.org for the latest cancer-specific information:

English and Spanish versions of cancer-related information
Key information to know about Coronavirus
Links to an expansive collection of COVID-19 resources on VUMC.org such as:
- State, Metro Nashville and CDC hotlines and websites
- Information for patients and visitors (telehealth appointments, disease and condition-specific information
- Clinical guidance to safely care for your patients
- VUMC employee information and resources

We encourage you to check this site regularly, as it is updated each day with new information and news about COVID-19 efforts.

Staying Connected

Keep up with the latest information on our social media channels and website:

Facebook: @VanderbiltIngram
Twitter: @VUMC_Cancer
Instagram: @vumc_cancer

VICC.org
vumc.org/coronavirus

COVID-19 Hotline for VUMC: (888) 312-0847

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