About the Unit

5N is a 31-bed unit located in the Cancer Hospital Building on the fifth floor. It is open 24-hours- a-day, 7-days-a-week. 5N also houses the Same Day Chemotherapy and Oncology Urgent Care Suites. The Same Day Chemotherapy Unit (SDCU) consists of 8 reclining chairs for our outpatients. SDCU is open and staffed 12 hours per day 7 days a week. The Oncology Urgent Care Unit consists of 4 beds that are available for emergency care of the oncology population. The unit is open 16 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Staff

Head Nurse: Patricia Hauser, BSN, RN, OCN

Head Nurse: Diana Weaver, RN

Case Manager: Kathy Cronin, RN

Case Manager: Marina Kharb, RN

Social Worker: John Stanicki

There are 3-4 critical care technicians each shift who assist with basic patient care. There is a unit secretary on each shift to perform data entry and secretarial duties.

Patient population

The 5N nursing staff cares for adult and geriatric medical oncology patients ages 18 years through the lifespan. Patients cared for in this unit have a variety of solid tumor diseases and/or hematological malignancies. Oncology patients who have secondary diagnoses such as neutropenia, diabetes, sepsis, anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and renal disease are also cared for on this unit.

Patient Care Needs

Patients on 5N require 1:4 to 1:6 nursing care. Treatments provided include but are not limited to: chemotherapy, biotherapy, radiation therapy, pain management, antimicrobials, antifungals, blood product administration, IVIG colony stimulating factors and phase I, II, and III research agents. Patients may require ancillary service intervention such as dietary consultation and occupational and physical therapy services. In the Same Day Chemotherapy Unit (SDCU) the patients require 1:4 nursing care and may receive ancillary service intervention. Patients admitted to the SDCU may receive treatments that include chemotherapy, biotherapy, blood transfusions, and colony stimulating factors. In addition, laboratory and radiology tests/procedures may be performed. The Oncology Urgent Care Center patients require 1:4 nursing care and may receive ancillary service intervention. Laboratory and radiology tests, emergency care including intravenous hydration, pain management, antibiotic administration and blood product administration are provided.

About Our Nurses

Nursing care for both inpatient and outpatient areas is provided by professional registered nurses competent in the care of medical oncology patients. Competencies may include, but are not limited to:

• Management of Pleurx® catheter
• Provision for respiratory care treatments
• Blood product administration
• Assisting with research protocols
• Pain assessment & management

• Radiation therapy management
• Low dose dopamine intravenous infusion
• Neutropenic management
• Administration of chemotherapy and biotherapy agents
• Thrombocytopenia management

Contact Information

Phone: 732-937-8666
Fax: 732-418-8178

Careers

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