New facility designed for collaboration, improved patient experience

Cayman Islands’ residents travelling overseas for cancer treatment now have an additional option when choosing a medical facility as the new Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, in Ohio, began welcoming patients on Monday, March 6. The 377,000-square-foot facility has been designed to house all outpatient cancer treatment services in one location with the centre’s team of medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers and others all working together in one shared space to improve patient outcomes.

“Every aspect of Cleveland Clinic’s new cancer centre was designed with the patient in mind to provide the best clinical outcomes and patient experience,” said Toby Cosgrove, M.D., CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic. “Further, it will foster greater collaboration, communication and research among physicians and care providers in the fight against cancer.”

The Taussig Cancer Center was designed with patient experience and empathy in mind, drawing on feedback from a panel of former cancer patients who outlined what would make their experience as ideal, welcoming and healing as possible. The new building is organized by cancer type, allowing patients to now have all of their appointments in one area where clinical caregivers come to the patient.

“As one of the nation’s most progressive cancer centres, the new Taussig Cancer Center will provide a seamless, personalized experience,” said Brian J. Bolwell, M.D., FACP, chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. “Our design priorities of reduced wait times, improved patient flow, multidisciplinary clinics and a healing environment, combined with a commitment to cancer research, will deliver the best possible care and support for our patients.”

Clinical features of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center include:

126 exams rooms and 98 treatment rooms in close proximity
Private chemotherapy infusion suites along the north side of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the tree-lined lawn
A large laboratory to help avoid long waits for blood testing
Genetics and genomics testing
A centralized home for existing high-level treatment technology, including six linear accelerators and a Gamma Knife suite
On-site diagnostic imaging
Dedicated area for phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials, with a special emphasis on supporting phase 1 trials

Beyond clinical services, the facility’s first floor houses critical support services intended to reduce cancer’s psychological stress. Those services include:

A resource centre where patients and families can access printed and online cancer information
Art and music therapy spaces
A boutique where patients with chemotherapy-associated hair loss can receive free wigs, caps and scarves
A wellness centre for guided imagery, facials and other aesthetic services
A private prosthetics fitting area
The 4th Angel Mentoring Program, an initiative begun by figure skating champion and Cleveland Clinic cancer patient Scott Hamilton, to provide patients with free, confidential, one-on-one advice and support from a trained volunteer and cancer survivor
A spiritual area for prayer or meditation.

About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 49,000 employees are more than 3,400 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 14,000 nurses, representing 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. The Cleveland Clinic health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, nine community hospitals, more than 150 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in Weston, Fla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2015, there were 6.6 million outpatient visits, 164,700 hospital admissions and 208,807 surgical cases throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 180 countries.

Cancer Center
The Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center is ranked no. 8 in the U.S. and best in Ohio for cancer care according to U.S. News and World Report. The center serves cancer patients across 17 locations in northern Ohio and Weston, Florida. More than 450 clinicians, scientists and other cancer specialists are committed to researching and applying the latest, most effective techniques for diagnosis and treatment to achieve long-term survival and improved quality of life for all cancer patients. Cleveland Clinic is a member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) designated cancer center supporting all cancer-related research efforts at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Cleveland Clinic’s cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC), with commendation in all four areas possible for an NCI ­designated cancer center: clinical trial accrual, public reporting of outcomes, College of American Pathologists protocols, and nursing care.

Visit us at www.clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.

Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.

Photos available at Cleveland Clinic Newsroom.

Photo captions:

1. A linear accelerator (LINAC) is used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer.
2. Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center lobby.
3. Taussig Cancer Center’s wig boutique for patients with chemotherapy-associated hair loss.
4. The new Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, in Ohio, began welcoming patients on Monday, March 6, 2017.