HOPA Now is the official podcast of the Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy Association, an organization dedicated to supporting pharmacy practitioners and promoting the advancement of Hematology/Oncology/Pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals impacted by cancer.

In this episode of HOPA Now, At-Large Board Member Jeremy Whalen is joined by LeAnne Kennedy, At-Large Board Member and stem cell transplant pharmacist, to discuss the exciting possibilities of moving transplants into the outpatient space. She addresses the benefits, the challenges, and the safety concerns associated with this next chapter of cancer patient care.

In this episode you will learn:

Benefits of moving transplants to the outpatient space

● Decreased risk of infection by minimized exposure to the hospital environment

● Increased mobility enhances a patient’s physical strength.

● The quality of post-procedure rest is enhanced in an outpatient setting.

● Outpatient care is a financially viable solution for both patients and providers.

Overcoming challenges to successfully switch to outpatient care

● The challenges of outpatient transplant care include the need for the patient to have a dedicated caregiver and reliable transportation.

● Pharmacists, social workers, nurses, and advanced practice providers all need to be involved in initial outpatient care.

● LeAnne walks through the process of switching transplants to outpatient care, including options for ordering medications.

● Pharmacists can now act as an independent provider for outpatient care.

● A collaborative effort is essential from all affected parties, including advanced practice providers, to minimize feelings of competition.

Other types of potential outpatient transplant care

● A cellular therapy program will start this spring.

● Outpatient visits can now be followed up by an at-home call via telemedicine.

● Telemedicine can allow providers to monitor the patient via a face-to-face call from home and eliminate the need for an additional daily trip to the hospital.

● Allogeneic transplants are being explored, including the conditioning regimen and chemotherapy in the outpatient setting.

● Home setting transplants have already started taking place at Duke University.

Mentioned in This Episode:

HOPA

Wake Forest Baptist Health