Care Management
Learn More About The Care Management Team At Southeastern: Chat with Us | Email Us
The Care Management Department at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southeastern Regional Medical Center (Southeastern) is here to provide advocacy, information and clarification to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your cancer treatment journey.
As a part of your Patient Empowered Care® Team, the Care Management Department provides clinical support through your entire treatment and recovery process. The care management team will coordinate every aspect of your care so that you can focus on healing. Should any problems arise, your care managers will work together with the rest of your care team to find a solution.
For example, the care managers make sure that you understand all of the details of your treatment options, and have a medication review to check for any contraindications. The care management team also assists with benefits and disability paperwork, as well as any other issues or concerns you may have regarding your care.
The members of the care management team help to make sure your medical needs are met when you return home, and they are available via telephone or email at any time if you have medical concerns between visits to CTCA.
Get to Know the Team
Amber Gilroy, AVP Oncology Patient Services, has been working with Southeastern since before the hospital even opened its doors. Prior to that, she worked with the corporate CTCA office in Schaumburg, IL, and with the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. “Our Care Managers are here to coordinate the care on behalf of our patients,” says Gilroy. “If a patient has any concerns or preferences, the care managers will be the voice of the patient to the other clinical staff.”
The care managers at Southeastern are all registered nurses (RNs) with oncology expertise. They are excellent communicators and work alongside your other doctors and clinicians from each department to streamline your experience.
Other members of the care management team include a social worker/discharge planner and a care management coordinator. Our licensed social worker is available to assist with any psycho-social issues, as well as discharge and planning, while the care management coordinator answers patient phone calls and assists with paperwork. The whole team works together to help you to return to your life outside of CTCA as easily and seamlessly as possible.
Advocating on Your Behalf
When you arrive at Southeastern, you will meet with your personal care manager. This first meeting takes place at the beginning of your initial evaluation period at the hospital.
Your care manager will serve as your mentor and advocate before, during and after your treatment.
“The care manager meets with the patient alongside the medical oncologist,” says Gilroy in explaining the role of her advocates. “They will help to explain the medical situation, treatment options, medications, side effects and any other issues regarding their care. The care managers will give the patient their contact information, and will be the first person a patient should call if they are experiencing any issues.”
Sometimes, it is necessary for your care managers to call and coordinate details with your insurance company. They are happy to take care of details like these so that you can put your time to better use.
Care Management Services
The following are some of the specific services your care managers provide:
- Work with your insurance company so you don’t have to worry about the hassle.
- Consult daily with your care team to review and discuss your treatment plan.
- Provide you with information about your cancer type and managing side effects of cancer treatment.
- Conduct regular follow-up interviews with you to help manage your symptoms (i.e., after chemotherapy) and answer your questions.
- Help you keep track of your lab tests and identify questions/concerns for your oncologist.
- Help you understand your medical plan, including treatments and medications.
- Ensure that you are getting quality care.
- Keep track of your medical tests, including labs and scans.
- Help coordinate medications through consultation with your doctors.
- Coordinate discharge planning for when you are ready to return home.
- Social work assistance.
- Stay in touch after you leave via the CTCA Survivorship Support Program.
Scheduling Your Appointments
We understand that traveling to a treatment facility from out of town can be stressful. CTCA takes care of many details for you, including scheduling your appointments, so that your journey is as easy as possible. The Care Management Department stays in close contact with schedulers to ensure your individual needs are met every step of the way.
Availability
Care managers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. They are in the hospital clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You can talk with your care managers in person, by phone or through email. Phone and email information will be provided to you as soon as you decide to come to CTCA.
