Our very own Karen Larsen interviewed Dr. Pat Basu, the president and executive chief officer of Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global, Inc., to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is a dangerous time for cancer patients whose immune systems are compromised.
With area hospitals dealing with the coronavirus, Dr. Basu says many cancer patients are worried. They don't know if they should defer life-saving therapies to try and avoid the risk from the virus.
"We can have those patients come to us in a cancer-specific only environment where we are dedicated to preserving their therapy and their safety, and in doing so, we can relieve capacity for another hospital to take care and focus on COVID-19 patients," Dr. Basu said.
He also explains the role that specialty hospitals need to play to help ease the burden on community hospitals.
“Everyone in the medical community must play their part to help those impacted by COVID-19, including those without the virus who still need their ongoing cancer treatments,” said Dr. Basu. “Partnering with physicians at community hospitals will help to free up acute care hospital staff to treat COVID-19 patients and limit interactions between immune-compromised patients and people showing COVID-19 symptoms. Our aim is to eliminate any disruption in care and ensure cancer patients receive necessary treatment during this crisis,”
To learn more about about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, click here.
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