Departments
Pharmacy Department
The pharmacy department plays an integral role in the team approach to patient care for the Miami Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, as well as by improving the safety and efficacy by which chemotherapy medications are prepared and administered.
On a daily basis, the oncology pharmacist reviews patient therapies, provides drug information to physicians, researches the latest chemotherapy protocols and participates in treatment decisions. After review and verification of all chemotherapy orders, the pharmacist reviews the prescribed therapy with each patient to address any chemotherapy questions or concerns. The pharmacist also plays an important part in the general educational endeavors by coordinating and providing educational updates, clinical round table discussions and in-services to the medical and nursing staff on new pharmacological agents.
To further improve patient comfort, pharmacy services, in conjunction with the medical and nursing staff, develops and implements protocols and standing orders for adjunct treatments. Protocols and standing orders include, but are not limited to an acute pain management order form, mucositis protocol and standardizing dosing and adjustment of Argatroban® in the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. In addition, pharmacy services implemented a “preparation – administration system” for all chemotherapy agents known as “Phaseal.”
Radiation Oncology Department
Mercy’s recently renovated and upgraded Radiation Oncology Center, a part of the Miami Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, is one of the busiest treatment facilities in South Florida. Equipped with two linear accelerators, the radiation oncology department continues to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology with its new CT/Simulator and the development and growth of the FDA approved Mammosite® Radiotherapy System, a new innovation in the treatment of breast cancer. With the addition of complete upgrades of treatment planning software, equipment and positioning devices, the department can facilitate delivery of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) including mirrored beam delivery capability.
In addition, the radiation oncology department continues its research efforts through its involvement with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), in affiliation with the National Cancer Institute and Albert Einstein Medical Center to participate in national cancer trials.
Radiology Department
The Radiology Department is a comprehensive diagnostic and interventional radiology facility staffed by affiliated board certified radiologists, offering a full range of imaging services. The mammography center has an American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited stereotactic biopsy division with specialized professional staff for all breast percutaneous procedures.
Pathology Department
In addition to the full clinical laboratory services, the pathology department offers definitive tissue-diagnostic support services for cancer patients, including classification and pathologic AJCC staging of malignant neoplasias.
For more information on The Miami Cancer Center, please call (305) 285-2195 or email MiamiCancerCenter@mercymiami.org.
