Inpatient Care
The Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center is the combined cancer program of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The Cancer Center is dedicated to comprehensive, integrated care for adults with cancer. Ranked among the top cancer programs in the country, our clinical experts are dedicated to bringing the latest research findings in treating cancer to our patients and their families.
Location
The Medical Oncology Unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), where inpatient care is provided, is operated by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and BWH. It is located on the fifth and sixth floors of the Tower (5A and 5B, 6A through D) at BWH, with units 5A and 6C licensed to DFCI and the rest licensed to BWH. Special air filter systems on the sixth floor provide a safe environment for patients whose low white blood cell counts place them at 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.
BWH and DFCI, located across the street from one another, have a connecting bridge that allows patients easy access to services at both institutions. Most outpatient care is provided in specialized centers at DFCI. Ask your health care team for more information about outpatient care.
Admitting and Registration
Prior to your scheduled admission, the medical oncology admissions facilitator will contact you regarding admitting and registration, or you may call the admissions facilitator at (617) 732-7898 if you have any questions or concerns.
Resources for Patients and Families
The Robert and Ronnie Bretholtz Center for Patients and Families, located at Brigham and Women's Hospital behind the Main Lobby, 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 and family relations, and the Michele and Howard Kessler Health Education Library. Click on the below link for more information, or call (617) 732-8103.
Robert and Ronnie Bretholtz Center for Patients and Families
The Blum Patient and 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. Click on the below link for more information, or call (617) 632-5570.
Blum Patient and Family Resource Center
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 and 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) 632-4319 for more information.
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 call the dietitian on the floor to discuss them.
Visitors
Family and friends are important to our patients. For that reason, arrangements can be made to have family and friends visit at times beyond the usual visiting hours of 1-8 p.m. Please speak with a member of the nursing staff to make such arrangements.
Please note that fresh flowers and living plants are not allowed on any of the sixth floor medical oncology units at BWH. This is because of the special air filter systems installed there to help protect patients from infection. Also, to protect latex-sensitive patients and staff, latex balloons are not allowed at BWH.
Clinical Services
As a medical oncology patient, you and your physician have access to a wide range of outstanding cancer surgeons and intensive care staff who specialize in the care of cancer patients, as well as today's most advanced clinical services for diagnosis and treatment. Additional services include:
Nuclear medicine tests, which provide important information about the structure and function of organs in the body. Typically, a radioactive substance called a tracer is injected into a vein, producing an image that can be viewed by a doctor.
State-of-the-art radiation oncology therapies, which include external and internal radiation therapy; radiation therapy for bone marrow transplant; treatment and planning capability, high-precision, stereotactic radio-surgery for brain tumors; the first MRI guided radiation implant system for prostate cancer in the US; and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), the most technologically advanced external beam radiation therapy treatment method.
Respiratory Therapy, if needed, such as lung function testing or chest physical therapy. Respiratory therapists also provide inhalable medications or oxygen.
Radiology services, including x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and interoperative MRI.
Pain and Palliative Care program, provided by psychiatrists, anesthesiologists and psychiatric nurses who can consult with you about your mental and emotional health. This program is unique because it specializes in the management of pain and other physical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns that patients and their families face as they cope with a serious illness. Please speak with your doctor, nurse, social worker or chaplain if you feel that you might benefit from these services.
Accommodations and Housing
For a list of hotels, guest houses and other accommodations in the area, please click on the below link or call the Care Coordination department at BWH at (617) 732-6469, the Department of Care Coordination at Dana-Farber at (617) 632-3301, or the Cancer Information Service at (800) 4-CANCER.
Chaplaincy
For information about religious and spiritual support from hospital chaplains, please visit our Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services page.
Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services
