Telehealth Is Helping Protect Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Crisis

In March, 2020, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) launched telehealth services across all FCS sites statewide, allowing patients continued and convenient access to care, while mitigating the impact and spread of COVID-19. Since the implementation of telehealth, thousands of patients have taken advantage of the service and have participated in more than 16,000 virtual visits (about 22% of all patient visits) with FCS physicians and other clinicians in the past three months.

Cancer Patients Are at Increased Risk
Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable populations in terms of contracting viral infections due to a compromised immune system, which can occur as a result of chemotherapy or other underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or hypertension, that are often found in older adults. Wearing masks, increased handwashing, social distancing and other extra precautions help to reduce exposure to the virus. Beyond these measures, Florida Cancer Specialists has instituted visitor restrictions and other safety protocols at all of its clinics across the state and is providing telehealth visits to continue vital cancer care for those patients who are not required to come into the clinic for treatment.

Telehealth Helps Reduce Risk of Exposure
Using video chat, FCS providers consult with patients remotely to share their laboratory results, treatment plans and more. To date, more than 600 providers, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers and nutritionists, have embraced the adoption telehealth not only to fulfill immediate healthcare needs in response to the outbreak, but also to support the delivery of high-quality patient-centered care. Telehealth visits are now covered by most insurance plans; patients may pay the same or possibly less than an in-office visit.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, telehealth did not play a significant role in oncology; however, due to the relaxation and updating of previous guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), we have now been able to introduce video meetings with our patients that maintain the high level of care and experiences our patients deserve and expect.

Technology Makes Telehealth Simple for Patients and Physicians
Connecting providers and patients is easy, thanks to advanced technologies, which allow FCS to successfully integrate multiple electronic platforms to ensure our patients have the critical access needed for their continuation of care and communication. Further, and most importantly, personal health information is protected and secure in virtual visits, just as it is with an office visit. While telehealth is not suitable for every patient served by FCS, physicians can identify appropriate patients who are a good fit.

This virtual care solution plays a vital role in response to the pandemic crisis, maintaining patient access to care directly from home for cancer patients who are among the most immunocompromised populations. FCS was among the first cancer care groups in Florida to launch telehealth resources to cancer patients during the pandemic.

World-Class Cancer Treatment Close to Home
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has a statewide network of expert, board-certified physicians who bring world‐class cancer treatments to local communities, both large and small, in nearly 100 locations throughout Florida. FCS is also on the leading edge of clinical trial research that provides FCS patients with access to the newest, most innovative and promising new treatments.

Florida Cancer Specialists treats patients with all types of cancer and offers a number of services, such as an in-house specialty pharmacy, an in-house pathology lab and financial counselors at every location, that deliver the most advanced and personalized care in your local community.

Florida Cancer Specialists

Bonita Springs
9776 Bonita Beach Rd SE,
Suite 201A
Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Naples – Goodlette
1100 Goodlette Road
Naples, FL 34102

Naples – Napa Ridge
6360 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 201
Naples, FL 34119

Naples – Sierra Meadows
8350 Sierra Meadows Blvd
Naples, FL 34114

Naples West
681 4th Ave North
Naples, FL 34102

Bonita Springs
9776 Bonita Beach Rd SE
Suite 201A
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

Cape Coral Cay West
1708 Cape Coral Pkwy West
Suite 10
Cape Coral, FL 33914

Cape Coral Cancer Center
1030 Commerce Creek Blvd
Cape Coral, FL 33909

Fort Myers Colonial
8931 Colonial Center Drive
Suite 300
Fort Myers, FL 33905

Fort Myers Cancer Center
8260 Gladiolus Dr
Fort Myers, FL 33908

North Port
3085 Bobcat Village Center Road
North Port, FL 34288

Port Charlotte
22395 Edgewater Drive
Port Charlotte, FL 33980

Venice Island
901 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285

Venice Healthpark
836 Sunset Lake Blvd,
Suite 101
Venice, FL 34292

Englewood
714 Doctors Drive
Englewood, FL 34223-3992

Sarasota Downtown
1970 Golf Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

Sarasota Cattlemen
600 North Cattlemen Rd,
Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34232

Lakewood Ranch
6310 Health Parkway,
Suite 200
Bradenton, FL 34202-5177

Bradenton East
401 Manatee Ave, Suite B
Bradenton, FL 34208

Bradenton West
2401 60th Street Court West
Bradenton, FL 34209

For more information, visit FLCancer.com